m
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONF
A PROSE ROMANCE TRANS- LATED FROM THE FRENCH ABOUT THE YEAR 1450 NOW FIRST EDITED FROM THE UNIQUE MS. DIGBY i85 OF THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY
RY
FRANTC JKWETT MA THER, JR., PH. D.
SOMETIME FELLOW OF JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, NOW INSTRUCTOR IN WILLIAMS C'OLLKHK
BALTI MORE
THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 1897
MAR " 5 1948
JOHN MURPHY A CO., PRINTERS, BALTIMORK.
[Reprinted from the Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol. XII, No. 1.]
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
PREFACE.
Apology will scarcely be necessary for printing an inedited English version of the story of King Horn, and, while the present chivalresque dilution of Horn et Rimel adds practi- cally nothing to the general history of the legend, Ponthus has claims of its own to the attention of students of fifteenth century English. It was impossible for me to edit the French original ; the reasonable limitations of publication in this Society's annual volume, forbade the reprinting of my tran- script of Wynkyn de Worde's edition of 1511; my edition then assumes logically the modest proportions of an accu- rate reprint of the earliest and most interesting version of the English Ponthus, that of the Oxford MS. Digby 185. Where emendation appeared absolutely necessary, I have used my transcripts of the French original, MS. Royal 15, e. VI of the British Museum, and Wynkyn de Worde's print. I must crave indulgence for the inadequate study of this popular romance in its manifold versions offered in the introduction. Only the spare time of a summer in England, chiefly devoted to the mechanical work of transcription, was available for this purpoa The actual writing was of necessity done with only the scanty resources of my own books and those of a small library. Where practically nothing has been done, my notes may at least be of service to some more favored investi- gator. I could easily have trebled the amount of annotation by treating the portions of Ponthus which are derived directly
ii F. J. MATHER, JR.
from Horn et Rimel, but this is, I believe, properly the work of the future editor of the Old French poem. I have gathered the important or difficult proper names into an alphabetical index. The few words that the professional student of Eng- lish might wish to have explained, or the lexicographer, recorded, I have thrown into a glossary at the end of the introduction.
The pleasant duty remains of thanking those who have helped me in the preparation of this edition. The officers and attendants of the British Museum MS. room, of the Cam- bridge University Library, and of the Bodleian Library, extended to me all possible courteous assistance. Mr. George Parker, of the last-named library, did me a peculiar favor in early bringing to my attention the Digby MS., unrecorded in the scanty bibliography of Ponthus. Dr. J. W. Bright of Johns Hopkins University has helped me materially in seeing the text through the press ; Dr. W. H. Schofield con- tributed the entire section on the Scandinavian rimur ; and Dr. J. D. Bruce of Bryn Mawr sent me many suggestions, utilized in the introduction and notes, from the proof sheets. To all these, my most cordial thanks. May it some time fall my chance to show them, in Ponthus' words, that "the? be noo curtesie doon to a good hert bot that it is yolden agane."
F. J. M., JR.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. ill
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
INTRODUCTION, iv
THE FRENCH PONTHUS.
Origin, date, relation to Horn et Rimel, ... jv Manuscripts of the French Ponthus, .... xviii Early printed eds. and subsequent history of the ro- mance, --..-... xxj
THE ENGLISH PONTHUS.
The Digby MS. and Douce Fragments, .... xxiii
Language of the Digby MS., ..... xxviii
Wynkyn de Worde's ed. of 1511, ----- XXx
Relations of the two English versions, ... xxxiii
THE GERMAN PONTUS, xli
THE PONTUS-RIMUR, xliv
LITERARY CONSIDERATIONS, xlvi
PLAN OF THE PRESENT EDITION, ----- xlix
NOTES, ----------- 11
NAMES OF PERSONS AND PLACES, ----- lix
GLOSSARY, Ixiv
THE DIGBY TEXT, 1-150
PR
IV F. J. MATHER, JR.
INTRODUCTION.
THE FKENCH PONTHUS. ORIGIN, DATE, RELATION TO HORN ET RIMEL.
Just as the story of Melusine was written to glorify the family of Lusignan so the romance of Ponthus was written in honor of a member of the famous Tour Landry family of Anjou. Montaiglon, in the introduction to his edition of Le lAvre du Chevalier de La Tour Landry1 (Paris, 1854), has collected the little that is known of the Ponthus de La Tour, for whom our romance was named. The famous knight Geoffroy de La Tour Landry left a son, Geoffroy, who died, leaving his widow in possession of the family estates. Her second husband, Charles, assumed the name of La Tour and thus became head of the family. Their second son was our Ponthus.
In 1424, this Ponthus gave tithes of his estates at Cor- nouaille, to the convent of St. John the Evangelist at Angers. The 21 Mar., 1431, he was a sponsor (dtage) at the wedding of the Count of Montfort and Yolande, daughter of the queen of Sicily. He appears to have been present at the battle of Formigrey in 1450. It concerns us immediately only to know that his activity covered the second quarter of the fifteenth century, and that in this quarter-century, in any case, some years before 1445, the probable date of the Royal MS., the French Ponthus was written.
Montaiglon (Intr., p. xxiij f.) continues : — II est aussi bien a croire que c'est lui qui a fait 6crire par quelque clerc le roman
1 Wright, in his ed. of The, Book of the Knight of La Tour-Landry (E. E. T. S., No. 33, Intr., pp. viii ffi), summarizes Montaiglon's study, but fails to make the genealogy of Ponthus of Tour-Landry sufficiently clear.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. V
de chevalerie de Ponthus, fils du roi de Galice, et de la belle Sidoine, fille du roi de Bretaigne, sou vent r6itnprim6 ; c'e"tait un moyen de populariser 1'illustration de la famille et d'en faire reculer tr&s loin 1'ancienuete", — Bourdigne", corame on 1'a vu, s'y est laisse" prendre, — que de la mettre au milieu d'une action a la fois romanesque et & demi historique. Les La Tour Landry, ont voulu avoir leur roman, comrne les Lusig- nan avoient Me'lusiue. Nous n'avoir pas a entrer dan le detail de ce tres pauvre roman, qui se passe en Galice, en Bretagne et Angleterre, ni & suivre les pe>ipeties des amours de Ponthus et de Sidoine, traverses par les fourberies du traitre Guennelet et en fin couronne'es par une mariage. Ce qu'il nous importe de signaler c'est la certitude de 1'origine de ce roman. Le he>os de 1'histoire porte le nom fort particu- lier1 d'un des membres de la famille, et, parmi ses compagnons, se voit toujours au premier rang Landry de La Tour. Tous les noms propres sont de ce cdte" de la France ; ce sont : Geoffrey de Lusignan, le sire de Laval, d'Oucelles et de Sillie", Guillaume et Bernard de la Roche, le sire de Doe", Girard de Chasteau Gaultier, Jean de Malevrier. Les quelques noms de Iocalit6s frangoises concourent aussi & la m6me preuve : c'est & Vannes que se fait le grand tournois, et, quand 1'armee se r6unit, c'est & la tour d'Orbondelles, pres de Tallemont ; or Talmont est un bourg de Vendee (Poitou) situe £ 13 kil. des Sables. Un passage donneroit peut-6tre la date exacte de la composition du Roman, c'est lorsque pour r6unir une arm6e contre les Sarrasius, on ecrit & la comtesse d'Anjou : car, dit le romancier, le comte 6toit mort, et son fils n'avoit que dix ans.2 Mais c'est trop long^temps m'arr6ter a ce dire, quil e"toit pourtant n6cessaire de signaler.
Strangely enough, as M. Paul Meyer remarks (Romania, - XV, p. 275), those who have treated the King Horn story
1 The name was I fancy not excessively rare, though I recall at present only Pontus de Thiard, a somewhat obscure luminary of the Pleiade.
'Probably a mere pseudo-realistic touch of the romancer. The only Duke of Anjou who at all fits the case, Louis I, claimant of the throne of Naples, died 1384. His eldest son Louis II was ten years old in 13 37. -But our romance could hardly have been written so early. Unfortunately we are ignorant of the date of the historic Ponthus' birth. A theory that the romance might have been written in 1387, when Ponthus was a child, for his training, — within a few years too of the writing of the prose Milusine and perhaps in rivalry with it, — would be alluring rather than plausible.
VI F. J. MATHER, JR.
have failed to note Montaiglon's very satisfactory theory of the origin of the romance of Ponthus. M. Montaiglon in his turn was apparently ignorant of the fact, known since the third ed. of Warton's Hist, that Ponthus is merely a rifaci- mento of the story of King Horn, more definitely of the Anglo-Norman Horn et Rimel.1 That is, the romancer spared himself the responsibility and labor of invention by accepting as a whole the plot of the forgotten roman d'aven- ture, reshaping it on the lines of a book of courtesy, amplify- ing and adding details from his own invention and knowledge of the early prose romances, localizing most of the scenes in the provinces most familiar to his patron, Ponthus of La Tour Landry, and introducing incidentally many names of the local nobility.
I have endeavored to show concisely in the following pages the measure in which Ponthus (P) departs from its original Horn et Rimel (HR) by omission and by amplification. For practical reasons the references to P are made to this edition of the English Ponthus, which represents faithfully the story of the French version, rather than to my transcript of the French MS. of the British Museum (Royal 15, E. vi).
THE DEATH OF KING TlBER (THIBOfi) AND THE ESCAPE
OF PONTHUS (P, pp. 1-9, HR, 11. 1-114).
HR starts in medias res with the finding of Horn and his fifteen (13 in P) fellows in a garden by the African Malbroin. Master Thomas has already told
Cum li bers Aaluf est uenuz a sa fin.
It is possible that the early pages of P, the sultan of Baby- lon2 and his three sons, the taking of Corunaa3 (Colloigne)
1 Edited by Fr. Michel for the Bannantyne Club, Paris, 1845. I cite the convenient reprint of the MSS. by Brede and Stengel, Marburg, 1885 (Aus. u. Abhand, No. vrn).
2 A prominent figure in the prose romances, as in the later Charlemagne romances, Paris and Vienne Roxb. Libr., p. 72, etc. There is a M. E. romance with this title (E. E. T. S., No. 38).
3 For variant spellings see index of proper names. Wynkyn de Worde's print shows in the fir^t chapter-heading and in the first chapter Oroyne the usual English equivalent of Corunna.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. Vll
by a strategem, etc., may preserve the outlines of this last poem of Thomas.1 This could hardly be proved in any case, while it appears more likely that the romancer merely wished to give the three Saracen brothers a motive for their inva- sions, which in HR the five African brothers of the sultan of Persia, have nowhere expressed for them. The character of Sir Denis (p. 3, 1. 25, Dampdenis), the priest, who hides the children and of Sir Patrick, the pretended Saracen, who saves them,^are not in HR. In HR an alchaie sur mer advises the king Rodmund (the Brodas of P) to set the children adrift in a cranky ship, without sail or rudder : this is done in fact, — in P merely in appearance. The agreement of Sir Patrick and the Earl of Asturias (Destrue, pp. 6-8) to save the country by feigning the Saracen religion, thereby becoming Brodas' lieutenants, is not in HR.
Minor differences are that in P Ponthus conceals his identity from the king, in HR Horn reveals it boldly, while the pre- monitory dream of the king that Ponthus in a lion's form2 slew him (p. 6) is peculiar to P.
PONTHUS IN BRITTANY. — His MEETING WITH SIDONE (P, pp. 9-18; HR, 11. 115-1301).
The two versions show only insignificant differences. Her- lant, the seneschal of king Hunlaf of Brittany (P. Huguell, R. Haguell?), is the single name common to the two. P men- tions and describes briefly the princess Sidone when her father is first mentioned (p. 9), HR reserves the princess Rigmel till the love plot begins to open (1. 405 ff.). The insistence upon Ponthus' piety (p. 11) is as usual only in P. Horn chooses to have his fellow Haderof educated with him under Herlant
1 Horn's statement, 1. 278 f. :
M is per es ifud pris par sa ruiste fierte Ki ateiidre ne uout ke uenist sa barne,
points to a beginning like that of the English King Horn.
* See Mentz, E, Die Trdume in den Altfr, Karls- und Artiis- epen, Marburg, 1888; Ausg. u. Abhand, LXXIII, p. 53 ff., for a collection of similar lion dreams.
Vlll F. J. MATHER, JR.
(1. 361 ff.). Pollides is educated separately by the Lord of Laval. In HR (11. 588 ff.) Rigmel gives gift upon gift to Herlant, Sidone is content to give him a palfrey, reserving her gift of a cup (p. 17) till he has actually brought Ponthus; furthermore Rigmel (11. 758 ff.) follows up the tardy Herlant with reminders from Herselote, her maid, that he is to bring Horn at once. The incident is absent from P. The action of Herland in substituting Pollides for Ponthus (p. 13) is left without expressed motive in P, in HR he explains (1. 693 f.).
Qui merrai Haderof, par laparceiuement Quel semblant el li fra a cest assemblement.
Godswty, Rigmel's nurse, first recognizes Haderof in HR (1. 852 f.). Pollides in P declares himself promptly. Herselote, who has seen Horn at the feast, describes his beauty elabor- ately to Rigmel (11. 950 ff.), Eloix (Ellious), Sidone's maid, uses a similar description as she sees from the window Pon- thus coming. Sidone gives Ponthus a diamond ring at their first meeting (p. 17), Rigmel shows Horn this mark of favor only after his notable service in battle (1. 1790 ff.). These slight differences are only worth recording to show the freedom of the romancer's handling of his original. In a general way the descriptions of Ponthus' beauty, accomplishments and virtues are expanded in the manner of books of courtesy, while our author protests unnecessarily (p. 17) the innocence of the love of Ponthus and Sidone.
THE FIGHT WITH THE SARACEN MESSENGER AND THE DEFEAT OF THE INVADING SARACENS (P, pp. 18-32 ; HR,
11. 1302-1722).
Carodas, brother of the slayer of Ponthus father (in RH two kings, Eglof and Gudolf, brothers of Rodmund), sends a messenger1 (in HR Marmorin) to defy king Huguell. Horn, having slain the challenger (1. 1541 ff.), presents the Saracen's head to Hunlaf as atrophy, Ponthus (p. 21) sends it back to
1 The insolent Saracen messenger is a typical figure in the Charlemagne romances. Examples are hardly necessary.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. IX
Carodas by the two Saracen squires with a message of defiance. Immediately after the single combat Horn is appointed con- stable of Brittany (1. 1547 f.), Ponthus only after the general engagement (p. 37). Rigmel only hears of the duel after it is finished, then she gives Horn a pennon to bear in the battle (1. 1579f.), Sidore gives Ponthus "a kerchef to be? on his spere " (p. 20) before the duel. Ponthus rescues the king of Brittany, who is unhorsed (p. 27 f.), but Horn, only Herland the seneschal (1. 1691 ff.).
The considerable elaboration of the course of the battle in P, as compared with HR where Horn and Haderof are the only prominent figures, was due to the romancer's desire to use prominently as many names of his French nobles as possi- ble (see especially p. 24 and pp. 28-30).
PONTHUS CONSTABLE (pp. 32-34). THE FIRST TREASON
OF GUENELETE (pp. 34-39). THE YEARS JOUSTING IN THE
FOREST OF BROCELIANDE (pp. 40-59). THE GREAT TOUR- NAMENT AT VANNES (pp. 59-61).
Except the election as constable, which HR uses earlier, this entire chapter rests upon the romancer's invention and borrowings, in part easily identified, from other romances.
In HR Horn chastises the rebellious count of Anjou for king Hunlaf and makes all the king's subjects and neighbors fear him (11. 1737-1749). Rigmel praises him and gives him a ring (1. 1790 ff.). None of this in P. Only Guenelete's motive for slandering Ponthus is borrowed from HR — that Ponthus refuses him the horse, Liard,1 Sidone's present. In HR Wikel asks for Horn's blanc cheval, the gift of Herland, which Horn had already given to Haderof (1. 1850 f.). This scene in HR occurs just before Wikel slanders Horn to the king. The writer of P uses it to introduce this first treason of Guenelete, his own invention.
^he common name of a grey horse. Used of Herlant's horse (HR, 1. 1696), in Richard Coer de Lion (Webber), 2320, in Ipomedon A (Kolbing), C/
3892, 3911.
X F. J. MATHER, JR.
There are certain obvious borrowings in P. The Fontaine des Merveittes in the forest of Broceliande (Breselyn, p. 44) is the Fontaine Perilleuse of Yvain (Foerster, 1. 380 ff.), but our author is more likely to have taken it from the prose Tristan (Loseth, Le Roman en Prose de Tristan, Paris, 1891; 82e fasc. de la bilb. de 1'Ilcole de Hautes Etudes, p. 248). It is there Tristan, who, by pouring water of the well on the stone, arouses the knight of the tour. In P the incident is mere stage-setting.
The not uninteresting mummery for choosing the contestants by shooting at their shields (pp. 41-43) is probably borrowed, but I have been unable to trace the source. In the prose Tristan (Loseth, p. 321) the knight of the Tour du pin rond hangs his shield on a pine and jousts with all who will strike it, but this is scarcely parallel.
Again these detailed single combats and elaborate tourna- ments give the romancer the opportunity of bringing into prominence his chief minor characters, Landry de La Tour, Bernard de La Roche, Geoffrey de Lusignan,1 etc.
GUENELETE'S SECOND TREASON. PONTHUS ACCUSED TO THE KING (P, pp. 63-69 ; HR, 11. 1818-2135).
Wikel's pretence of quarreling with Horn about the blanc cheval has been already used by P as the motive of Guene- lete's first treason (p. 34). Envy is this time the motive.
Wikel in addition to charging Horn with Rigmel's dis- honor,— the sole accusation in P, — makes him plot with her against the king (1. 1893 ff.).
The versions correspond very closely in Horn's words with the king and his refusal to swear (1. 1940ff.), as in the entire section, but Horn sees the king once more after leav- ing Rigmel and reaffirms his innocence (1. 2071 ff.), and Rigmel exchanges rings with Horn (1. 2051 ff.), giving him a sapphire ring that will protect him from fire, water and
1 This is the name of the famous hero of the Great Tooth, the sixth son of Melusine. See the index of Melusine, E. E. T. S., Ext. S. 68.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XI
battle. In P Ponthus receives a ring, which has no talis- manic properties, only at his first meeting with Sidone (P, 1 7).
PONTHUS IN ENGLAND (P, pp. 70-96; HR, 11. 2136-3681).
Horn assumes the name of Gudmod (1. 2160) on arriving in Ireland (Westir), Ponthus in England that of Le Surdit de Droite Voie,1 — that is, the accused one who sought in vain the straight path of vindication by combat.2
The incident of the boar (P, p. 70) is not in HR. There Guffer and Egfer, sons of king Gudreche of Ireland have an agreement that the first two foreign knights arriving shall enter the service of Guffer, the elder, the third, that of Egfer (1. 2206 ff.). Riding together they meet Gudmod (Horn), who represents himself as the son of a vavasour; both desire his service, but it is Egfer's turn.
Gudreche, the king of Ireland, knew Allof, Horn's father, and Horn, when a child ; he immediately marks Gudmod's likeness to Horn. Lenburc and Sudburc, daughters of the king, are immediately attracted to Gudmod. Lenburc, the elder, sends him a golden cup from which she has drunk, bidding him drink the rest and keep the cup (1. 2399 ff.). Horn reproves her and refuses the gift. Lenburc, still insist- ent, receives no encouragement. P omits all this except the general statement that the king's daughters loved Surdit (Ponthus) and goes on to the stone-casting (p. 72; HR, 1. 2567 ff.).
Eglof, a vassal, outdid both the king's sons — in P, only Henry — in casting the stone. Implored by his master Egfer,
1 Prince Philip of France, having relinquished his heirship to fight against the Great Turk, calls himself Le Despurven (Three Kings' Sons, E E. T. Soc., Extra S., No. 67, p. 9). lolanthe, feeling the name to be inappropriate, calls him Le Surname (p. 36). Later the king of Sicily rechristens him Le Nounpareil (p. 55). Noms de guerre are common enough in all romances, but they seldom have any especial signification.
*As explained in the Royal MS. Quant le roy ouyst quil [Pontus] se nom- moit ainsi. Si pensa que cestoit pour ce quil lui auoit mis sur quil amoit sa fille [Sidoine]. Le seurnom, pour ce quil lui auoit refuse droicle voye, pour ce qui se voulloit combatre centre diux ou trois (cf. p. 104, 1. 18 of this text).
Xli F. J. MATHER, JR.
Gudmod ^without exertion equalled Eglof 's boasted cast. Eg- lof casts a foot better. Again Gudmod equals his cast. Eglof, with a supreme effort, casts half a foot farther. Gud- mod, conjured by his love, — the allusion is turned to his mother only in P, — outcasts him by seven feet (1. 2659 ff.). In all this P follows HE, with the slightest changes.
The two brothers go with Gudmod to disport themselves (1. 2698 ff.) in Lenburc's chamber. A game of chess in which Gudmod beats Lenburc — omitted in P — is elaborately de- scribed in HR (11. 2726-2772).
Lenburc takes her harp and sings half the lay — all she knows — which Baderof made to his sister Rigmel in Brittany. Gudmod finishes the lay with marvellous sweetness, so that Lenburc cries out :
Coe est Horn, cum ioe crei (1. 2852),
«
and is with difficulty dissuaded. Wissman (Anglia iv, p. 394) has already pointed out that this incident is probably imitated from Tristan. In P, Surdit sings to Genever the lay which he himself made to Sidone — the princess recognizes it imme- diately. They all make Surdit repeat it to the king.
The whole episode of the war with the king of Iceland, — so in the Royal MS., in both English versions Ireland, — his capture by Ponthus, his marriage to the king's younger daugh- ter by Ponthus' advice, is apparently original with the writer of P (pp. 76-82). P, on the other hand, entirely omits the single combat with Rollac, slayer of Horn's father, — though the long description in HR (11. 3108-3210) may have yielded certain details for the fight with Carodas' messenger earlier (p. 20 f.), — and goes directly to the battle with Corbatan (Corboran) the sultan of Babylon's third son. In HR Hilde- brant and Herebrant, brothers of the African invaders of England and Brittany, and of the soudein de Perse, dan Gud- brant, 1. 3000, are the invading kings.
The battle in P (pp. 82-86) is little dependent upon HR. Hildebrant kills Guffer and is himself killed by Gudmod
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. Xlll
(1. 3298 ff.); Herebrant (by mistake Hildebrant in J)oth MSS. Harleian corrects to Herebrant on the margin) wounds mor- tally Egfer, Gudmod's master, but falls himself at Gudmod's hand (11. 3359-3405). HR (1. 3497 ff.) dwells effectively upon the scene between Gtidmod and his dying master.
In HR it is the king of Orkney (1. 3574 ff.) who tries to arrange the marriage between Gudmod and Lenburc, in P the king of Scots (p. 87). In HR Gudmond feigns to be be- trothed to the daughter of a vavasour in Brittany (1. 3663 ff.), in P he offers only the general excuse of his low birth.
GUENELETE AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.1 OLIVER
SEEKS PONTHUS IN ENGLAND (P, pp. 88-93; HR, 11. 3682- 3917).
There is no change of scene to Brittany in HR. Only the barest details of Wikel's plot are told to Horn by Joceran, Herland's son, who appears as a palmer in the court and calls him by name. Modin (Modun), king of Fenenie, represents the Duke of Burgundy of P.
All the details of Guenelete's treachery, except the deposi- tion of Herlant, such as Sidone's gaining time by pleading sickness2 (p. 90), and Oliver's falling among thieves (p. 91), are original with P. HR offers only the slight differences that Joceran has wandered three years in search of Horn (1. 3702), and that Lenburc, hearing of Horn's betrothal, will become a nun and leave him heir to the kingdom of Westir (11. 3875 ff.).
PONTHUS' RETURN TO BRITTANY. DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY. WEDDING OF SIDONE AND PONTHUS (P, pp. 93-106 ; HR, 11. 3918-4594).
1 The son of the Due of Bourgoyne is Paris' chief rival with Vienne (Paris and Vienne, Roxb. Libr., p. 57, 62, etc.); Vienne' s father imprisons her because she will not marry the Duke (p. 62) ; is a character of Three Kings' Sons (see index) ; his brother Guy (mentioned P, p. 105, 1. 33) bears the name of the hero of a chanson de geste ( Oui de Bourgogne, ed. par Gues- sard et Michelant, Paris).
1 Vienne, imprisoned, when her father attempts to force her into a mar- riage,— with her own lover disguised, — simulates a loathesome disease, by the unpleasant means specified on p. 85 of Paris and Vienne.
XIV F. J. MATHER, JR.
The chapter follows HR with few changes. In HR Horn first learns of the day and place of the wedding of king Modin from the palmer with whom he changes clothes (1. 3954 ff.). Horn's parable of the fisher to Modin and Wikel (1. 4046 ff.) is of course absent from P. The description of the custom of having thirteen poor men entertained at great feasts (p. 98) is not in HR. Horn merely pushes into the hall, having thrown the opposing porter under the bridge, with the press. He demands a drink of Rigmel (1. 4164 ff.) instead of waiting his turn. The pun on Horn (1. 4206 ff.) is necessarily absent from P. Rigmel knows Horn on the instant. Explanations then are made in the hall at the feast, not in the princess's chamber as in P (p. 99). She immediately offers to follow him in poverty, so the test questions of P (p. 99) are absent from the earlier version.
Horn tells Rigmel to persuade Modin to hold a tournament (1. 4323), in P it follows a wedding feast as a matter of course. Horn unhorses Modin in the tournament (1. 4479 ff.), then as Modin's people come to the rescue, blows his horn, summon- ing his concealed troops to capture Modin and take the town of Lions. In P the Duke of Burgundy, worsted by Ponthus, is precipitated into a pit by his unruly horse and killed (p. 102 f.). In HR Horn and Modin are reconciled (1. 4545 ff.), and Wikel pardoned for this treachery (1. 4565 ff.).
PONTHUS RECONQUERS G ALICIA (P, pp. 106-119; HR, 11. 4595-4881).
There is a large loss of text in HR after 1. 4594, so that the portion corresponding to the vow at the wedding feast (P, p. 108) and the invasion of Galicia, the finding of Sir Patrick and the Earl of Asturias at prayer in a chapel (p. Ill), is missing. But at 1, 4595, Hardre, formerly seneschal for king Allof, appears in the character of the Sir Patrick of P, deceiv- ing the heathen king as to Horn's strength, and planning an ambush for the battle. Rodmund has dreamed that a wild boar gored his horse and wounded him mortally (HR, 1. 4656 ff.), Brodas has dreamed that he became a wolf, and that a
KING PONTHTJS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XV
greyhound, accompanied by a " brachet,"1 pulled him down (P, p. 113).
The strategem by which the town is taken (P, 115) is not in HR. Horn delivers his friend Haderof from desperate straits, in killing Rodmund (1. 4782 f.) otherwise the battle in P follows HR in a general way, with greater elaboration as usual and provision for a larger number of characters.
PONTHUS RECOGNIZES HIS MOTHER (P, pp. 119-122 ; HR,
11. 4882-4967).
The scene of recognition so sympathetically described in HR as to lead Michel to the rash appreciation, Si fetois force de choisir entre cet Episode et celui de la reconnaissance d' Ulysse par Penelope, je ne saw auquelje donnerois la preference (Intr., LXII), is somewhat amplified in P, but presented with equal delicacy of feeling. Slight changes in P are, first, the queen enters the banquet hall as one of the thirteen poor people to be fed in honor of God and his apostles (p. 119, cf. p. 98) ; second, the Earl of Asturias, her brother, recognizes the queen, — a character missing in HR, where Hardre first recognizes her. The scene (1. 4928 ff.) where Horn returning from the chase meets his mother disguised at the door, is only in HR.
GUENELETE'S FINAL TREASON 2 AND DEATH (P, pp. 122- 140; HR, 11.4968-5215).
Horn dreams that Wikel attempts to drown Rigmel (1. 4968 ff.). Ponthus dreams that a bear devours Sidone3 (p. 122). All the details of Guenelete's treason differ from the simple account in HR (11. 5040-5146). The king and his daughter, warned by Wothere, Wikel's brother, that Wikel intends to imprison them in his new castle and marry Rigmel,
1 See Mentz, Die Traume, u. s. w., p. 61, but there are no close parallels.
•In Caxton's Bianchardyn and Eylantyne (E. E. T. S., Ext. S., No. 68, p. 172 ff. ; p. 197 ff.) Subyon plays a part very similar to Guenelete's. Left in charge of Eglantyne, he corrupts the commons, tries to force her to marry him, and besieges her.
* For bear dreams see Mentz, Die Traume, u. s. w., p. 56. Most like the present instance are those cited from Bcrtc aus grans pies, 1. 1678, and Aye d' Avignon, 1. 2514.
XVI F. J. MATHER, JR.
defend the town, suffer hunger, and are forced to agree to a truce for fifteen days, and then to surrender, if Horn does not in the meantime return.
The elaborate description of Guenelete's forged letters, his corruption of the commons, Sidone's retreat to a tower, etc., is borrowed from Mordred's treachery in the Morte d'Arthure, usually appended to the prose Lancelot The parallel is strik- ing with the version represented by Fiieterer's German Lance- lot (Bibl. d. Litt. Vereins, No. 175, Tubingen, 1885, p. 348 f.). In this version Mordred, left in charge of the kingdom and the queen, wins over the people by great gifts, has a messenger bring a letter from Arthur, with word that he, lying at the point of death and all his people destroyed, makes Mordred king, and as a last request bids " Ginofer " marry Mordred. The queen doubts the letter, obtains four days' respite, in which time she shuts herself up in a tower, provisioned and garrisoned, to await rescue from Arthur and Lancelot. She upbraids Mordred for his ingratitude from a window as Sidone does Guenelete (p. 130 f.). Malory (Somner, p. 839) gives the same account with less detail.
Only in P (p. 133) Sidone dreams of her husband's coming.
The Earl of Richmond's journey to arrange the marriage of Genever and Pollides (P, p. 136 f.), and the details of the tournament (p. 138 ff.) are original with P.
PONTHUS' VISITS TO ENGLAND AND GALICIA (P, pp. 140-
150; HR, 11. 5226-5250).
In the main P only amplifies tediously the score of lines in HR. Ponthus marries Genever to Pollides and reads him a homily (p. 145 ff.) on the duties of a prince, especially of one who has married above his station. Horn in Ireland has to provide for both princesses, Lenburc he marries to his former rival, Modin, Sudburc to Haderof, his companion, who, like Pollides, becomes heir to the kingdom. HR adds, Horn and Rigmel had a son Hadermod, who conquered Africa; Thomas could tell his story, but leaves it to his son Gilemot.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XV11
SUMMARY.
This tedious comparison shows :
(1) That P has used every essential element of the plot of HR, but has filled in the skeleton freely by invention, ampli- fication, and occasional borrowings. I cannot find any clear instance where the French Ponthus has borrowed verbally from HR, but its general freedom of treatment makes a suppo- sition that another version of the French Horn than HR was used gratuitous.
(2) P has definitely localized the story in Galicia, — instead of the Suddene (England) of HR, in Brittany, — in this agree- ing with HR, — and in England, instead of Westir (Ireland). The Charlemagne romances may have caused the shifting of the early scenes of the romance to Spain, geographical prox- imity may have drawn the Irish episode of HR to England. All the geography of P is quite accurate, no more recondite reference than the index of Baedeker's Northern France is necessary to identify nine-tenths of the localities represented by the minor characters of the poem. All important proper names, those difficult of identification, or unidentified are collected in an alphabetical list at the end of the introduction. At times the scribe of the Digby MS. has bungled these proper names sadly ; the necessary corrections have been made usually in the alphabetical list rather than in the notes.
(3) The only really important additions of the romancer to the plot of HR are : (1) Guenelete's first treason and the resulting year's jousting in the forest of Broceliande with its sequel, the great tournament at Vannes (pp. 40-61); and (2) the episode of the king of Iceland (Ireland) (pp. 76-82).
(4) The amplifications of the motives of HR, are either in the way of bringing out more definitely and elaborately the courtesy of the hero, or, in battles, etc., those imposed upon the romancer by the necessity of providing parts for a great number of minor characters.
ii
XV111 F. J. MATHER, JR.
(5) There are demonstrable borrowings from the prose Tris- tan, and Lancelot. The names show that the romancer knew in a general way the legends of Arthur and of Charlemagne. Guenelete is clearly only a double diminutive of Guenes, the arch-traitor, Gene? (Genever) is as clearly the name of Arthur's queen, king Hoe'l of Brittany may have suggested, not given, Huguell (a mere diminutive of the familiar Hugues). These parallels Mr. Ward (Cat. of Romances, vol. I, p. 470) has already drawn. Beside these Carodas, son of the sultan of Babylon, gets his name from Carados of the Arthur legend (e. g. The Prose Merlin, E. E. T. S., vol. 36, p. 442, p. 594), while Fireague (Ferragu), a Saracen, who slays prince John of England, is apparently Ferragus, an insolent Saracen mes- senger familiar to the Charlemagne romances from the chroni- cle of Pseudo-Turpin to the English Roland and Vernagu (E. E. T. S., No. 39). It is probable that one more familiar than myself with the great mediaeval romances could supply many additional parallels, both in name and incident.
Mss. OF THE FRENCH PONTHUS.
I have examined only the three English MSS., of these the Cambridge MSS. only cursorily.
(1) Ms. Royal 15, E. vi, of the British Museum, which I cite constantly, from my transcript, as R, is a large folio in double columns, with many handsome miniatures. It was given to Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI, presumably on the occasion of her marriage (1445), by the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury (died 1452). The description of this interesting volume of Romances in Ward's Catalogue, I, p. 130, is so accessible that I pass it here. The romance of Ponthus occu- pies ff. 207-226". Mr. Ward (p. 470) counts 47 chapters with rubrics, but no numbers — I count 48. There is, as usual, no title.
The first rubric begins :
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XIX
Cy commence ung noble liure du Eoy Pontus filz du Koy thibor de galice le quel Pontus fut sauue des mains des Sarrazins. Et de puis fist de beaulr faiz darmes comme vous pourres oyr cy a pres.
The romance begins :
Compter vous vueil vue noble hystoire Dout len pourroit assez de Men et dexemplaire aprendre, etc.
Ends:
Le roy Pontus et la royne vesquirent asses longuement et regnerent au
plaisir de leur pays. Et puis trespasserent Et moult furent moult [sic]
regretes de tout le peuple Mais ainsi est de la vie mondaine. Car si beau
sy bon sy riche, ne sy fort, nest que en la fin Ne conuienge laissier ce siecle
Explicit le liure du Roy Pontus.
The Royal MS. represents an earlier stage of the romance than either of the Cambridge MSS., with its absolute monotony of sentence structure, — endless si's and et's at the beginning of sentences, etc., but it shows also a version slightly condensed. All the long lists of names of knights are promptly cut off with an et moult dautres. In the closing chapters, correspond- ing to pp. 118-150 of the present text, R frequently condenses details more fully treated in all other versions, but never in a way to alter essentially the course of the story. This would render it inadvisable to make R the basis of an edition of the French Ponthus, in spite of its assured early date (between 1445 and 1452).
(2) MS. Hh, 3, 16 of the Cambridge University Library, — cited as H, fol. vellum, 82 leaves (originally 84),1 written proba- bly about the middle of the 15th cent. The MS. contained originally 88 leaves as follows, a single fol. (2 leaves) contain- ing the rubrics of the chapters, ten gathers of four folios (8 leaves) each, a final gather of six leaves. Two leaves have been cut out, probably for miniatures they contained, — the second leaf of the third gather of eights, and the fifth leaf of
JAt the end in an old hand (17th cent. ?),
Sum Jacobi Morranti & amicorum.
XX F. J. MATHER, JR.
the sixth gather of eights. The leaves are not numbered. The MS. in its present condition has 45 chapters with rubrics; it probably had at least two more. The chapter divisions are in the main those of R, but the chapter headings are quite different in form, occasional differences from the text of R appear to be revisions in the interest of varying the monoto- nous style of the original. H has always the full reading where R. condenses. It would undoubtedly, its two lacunae filled from R, be the best of the English MSS. to print.
3) MS. Ff., 3, 31 of the Cambridge University Library, — cited as F. Fol. paper, 15th cent, (probably late), ff. 33. This MS. is only remarkable for its geometrical capitals, and for a very dull prologue in octosyllabic couplets which M. Paul Meyer has printed with a brief description of the volume in Romania, xv, p. 275 ff. It is more minutely divided into chapters than the other MSS.,1 in place of the usual chapter headings each capital at the head of the chapter contains a motto or verse bearing upon the subject of the chapter (Meyer, p. 276). The language is considerably revised and modernized.2
I find two MSS. registered for>the Biblioth&que Nationale at Paris (see BibL Imper. Man. Fran. Ancien Fonds, Paris, 1868, Tom. I).
No. 1486, vellum, 14th Cent. (The date is, of course, im- possible, but it should, at least, be an early MS. to get such a rating.) No. 1487, paper, dated 1462. I have no description of these MSS.
A romance so popular as the French Ponihus was must exist in many MS. copies. I have lacked the opportunity of searching further the catalogues of the great libraries.
1 E. g. there are 47 divisions in the portion of text corresponding to the first 17 chapters of K.
*At the end of the MSS. are the following signatures of former owners, John Dalton /1619/ William Townley of the parish of S. Giles's in the Fields.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XXI
EARLY PRINTED EDITIONS.
Seven editions of the French romance within as many decades indicate the popularity of the book. Of these I have seen only the third, the others I cite summarily from Brunei, Manuel du Libraire (Paris, 1863), to which I refer the reader for exact bibliographical indications.
(1) Fol. 69 ff. without name, place or date, but published at Geneva, circa 1478.
(2) Fol. Lyon Guillaume Le Roy, circa 1480.
(3) Fol. Lyon Caspar Ortuin, circa 1500.
This is No. 177 of the Douce Coll. in the Bodleian Library.
The first (a), fifth (e), and tenth (i) gathers are fours (8 leaves), all the others, including the eleventh and last (1), are threes. There are then 72 leaves in all (Brunet reports 71 because the final leaf is blank). Ai (front) contains only the brief title, PONTHUS ET LA BELLE SIDOYNE. Ai (back) con- tains the first text,
f Cy commence une excellent histoire le quelle fait moult a noter/du tres- uaillant roy ponthus filz du roy de galice et de la belle sidoyne/fille du roy de bretaigne.
A large woodcut of a mounted knight with a hawk, and a maiden offering a carnation fills the rest of the page, and the romance proper begins on Aii (front),
Conter vous vueil, etc.
There are in the text thirty-six rude but occasionally spirited woodcuts. The text ends on the back of the unlettered leaf of fol. 1. ii (leaf 71, back),
Puis finerent leur vie a grant regrect de leurs pais. Mais ainsi et [*ic] il de la vie mondaine qui nest si beau ne si riche ne si bon a qui au fort ne conuienne laisser cest siecle et auoir fin.
Cy finist le tresexcellent romant du noble et cheualeureux roy Ponthus et de la tresbelle Si- doyne fille du roy de bretaigne imprime par maistre caspar ortuin a lyon :
The final leaf is blank.
XX11 F. J. MATHER, JR.
This version agrees very exactly in all H's grosser variants from R. In its chapter divisions, and in the form of the chapter headings it represents closely the original of Wynkyn de Worde's edition. We shall return to this point in the discussion of that version.
4) Quarto, double cols. Paris, Jean Trepperel, after 1500.
5) Quarto, 58 ff. Paris, Michel Le Noir, circa 1520. 5a) " " " Alain Lotrian, without date,
reported from the Royal Library at Stuttgart. Possibly the same impression as 5.
6) Quarto. Paris, Nic. Crestien, circa 1550.
7) Quarto. Paris, Jean Bonfons. These are all printed in the so-called Gothic character. The remaining history of Ponthus in France may be told
in a word. It is amusing, at least, to find that Jehau de Bour- digne", the Chronicler of Anjou and of Maine, accepted our romance as good history. In his Chroniques d' Anjou et du Maine, first printed in 1529, — I cite the edition printed at Angers, 1842, — Bourdigne" gravely describes the descent of Karados upon the coast of Brittany (Cap. xvi, p. 74 ff.) and all the course of the battle precisely, in outline, as it is de- scribed in chapters ix to xi of our text. The names of the participants, even the list of slain, are the same. After the battle (p. 80) Ponthus jousting in the forest of "Brecilian" is rather mentioned than described. After the jousts Ponthus' expedition to reconquer Galicia is mentioned, with lists of the French champions and of the slain in the final battle quite as in the romance. Finally the chronicler states that these annals are, extraictes de plusieurs cronicques, hystoires et livres anciens. Pity that no bearer of the then extinct name of Tour Landry could see his family romance accepted as good history.
The condition of public taste in France in the 17th century did not, as in Germany, tolerate the survival of Ponthus as a Volks-buch, and the French history of " Ponthus " closes,1 or
1 1 should confess that a reference in Biisching and Von der Hagen's Buch der Liebe, S., XLV, states that the French Ponthus is treated in T. u, p. 180
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XX1H
possibly reopens, with the careful abstract presented in Me- langes Tiroes d'une grwn.de, Bibliotheque, Tom. x, pp. 1-62. This abstract is based upon one of the editions in 4to, probably that of Jean Trepperel, about 1500. On p. 61 the author writes that Ponthus and Sidoine
eurent deux filz, don't 1'aine* porta avec gloire la premiere de ces deux couronnes [Galice] & le second, nomine" Conan Meriadec, est la tige des Kois & Dues de Bretaigne.
I did not happen upon this bit of imaginary genealogy in " Bourdigne"," and there is nothing of the sort in any version of Ponthus that I have examined.
THE ENGLISH PONTHUS.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DIGBY MS. AND DOUCE FRAGMENT.
The earliest form of the English Ponthus is that of MS. Digby 185 of the Bodleian Library. The volume is a folio of 203 leaves handsomely written on thin vellum. The con- tents of the MS. are : —
1) Fol. 1-79. The prose chronicle usually called The Brute of England, with the prologue, ending with the capture of Rouen in the year 1418.
2) Fol. 80-144b. Thomas Hoccleve's poem, De Regimine Principum. At the place where the miniature portrait of Chaucer should stand there is an elaborate s-shaped flourish in the margin with the side note Chaucer's Ymago (I neglected to note the exact form of the second word). This shows that the poem was copied from a MS. that contained the miniature.
and 250, of the Bibliolh. des Romans. Having se.arcb.ed everything that could possibly be cited as a T. n in that distracting collection, I came forth from its mazes empty handed. Some one who knows the way may yet find it. It probably signifies nothing that the index vol. does not contain the name of Ponthus.
XXIV F. J. MATHER, JR.
3) Fol. 145-156. Hoccleve's story of the emperor Gere- laus and his wife (published, E. E. T. S., Ext. S. 61, p. 140 ff.). The prose exposition or moralization of the story follows on fol. 156-157.
4) Fol. 157b-164. Hoccleve's story of Jonathas and his paramour (E. E. T. S., Ext. S. 61, p. 215 ff.). The prologue is lacking. The tale proper begins,
Sum tyme an Emperour' prudent and wise Reigned in Rome.
The prose exposition follows on 164b and 165.
5) Fol. 166-203. Ponthus.
The facsimile (exact size) of Fol. 166ro will give a sufficient specimen of the fine and legible handwriting of the scribe, while affording an excellent example of the heraldic illumina- tion of initial capitals.
These heraldic illuminations make it possible to locate the MS. and approximately to date it.
On page 1 of the MS. at the head of the Brute is this coat of arms : Quarterly, 1 and 4, Argent, a chevron azure, with a label of three points ermine ; l 2 and 3, gules, a griffin seg- reant or;2 crest, a friar's head, proper, hooded argent.3 The crest and arms quartered 1 and 4, indicating the family descent, were borne by a Sir George Hopton of Swillington, who was knighted by Henry VII at the battle of Stoke beside Newark, June 9, 1487 (W. C. Metcalf, A Book of Knights, 1885, p. 14). The Hoptons were descended from an illegitimate son of Robert de Swillington, one Thomas Hopton who died in 1430 (Joseph Foster, Yorkshire Pedigrees, Vol. n), and they inher- ited the manor of Swillington near Leeds, Yorkshire (Loidis and Elmete, p. 232. T. D. Whitaker, Leeds, 1816). The
1 These arms are attributed to the Swillington family in the Catalogue of Digby MSS. erroneously, — Swillington arms in Burke's General Armoury are, arg. a chevron az, and gules, a griffin segreant or (the Leicestershire family).
* Catalogue, [" Rivers or Swinlington ?"]
3 Catalogue, " The head of a savage."
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XXV
arms (gules, a griffin segreant or) quartered with the Hopton arms are given by Burke as those of the Swillingtons of Leicestershire, presumably related to the Yorkshire Swilling- tous. The Digby MS. was then written for a head of the Hopton family of Swillington, not improbably for Sir William Hopton,1 Treasurer for Edward IV (circa 1465).
The initial capital of Hoccleve's De Regimine, Fol. 80, con- tains the arms of Hopton described above, impaling quarterly,
1 and 4, Argent a bendlet sable, thereon three mullets argent;
2 and 3, gules fretty argent2 (Beauchamp, Cat. of Digby MSS.). They are the arms of a daughter of the Hopton family im- paled with those of her husband, probably a Beauchamp.
In an initial, Fol. 157b, ten small coats of arms are intro- duced. The curious will find them described in the Catalogue of Digby MSS.
The initial letter of Ponthus, Fol. 166, see facsimile, con- tains the quartered arms of Hopton and Swillington, impaling those already described under Fol. 80. This indicates that the husband had assumed the arms of his wife, probably as heir to the titles of Hopton and Swillington. Thus the fac- simile shows all the arms here described.
I have gone into this tedious matter of the arms, on the chance that some enthusiast in genealogy may be able to determine the marriage indicated by the second and third shields, and thus date the MS. My own cursory study of the matter was quite fruitless. It is of chief importance only for us to know that the MS. was written for a Yorkshire family residing near Leeds. This will prepare us for the language
1 He would have been in his prime about the middle of the century, the probable time of writing of the MS., and of an age to have the married daughter whose arms are contained in the MS.
But this whole matter of the Hopton genealogy appears to be vague and is certainly incomplete.
* I could not identify these impaled arms. I fancy that Beauchamp is merely offered as a suggestion in the catalogue. Foster's Pediyrees and the county histories show no marriage in the Hopton family corresponding to this impalement. But all the genealogies are sadly incomplete.
XXVI F. J. MATHER, JR.
of the text. It is also an admissible theory, and a pleasant, to feel that the book is a sort of a family book. A father, who must have played some small part in the history of his day, chose the prose chronicle of England ; his daughter chose, perhaps for the education of her children, Hoccleve's De Regi- mine Prineipum', her husband, with a feeling for something less ponderous than Hoccleve, and yet sufficiently edifying, chose the new and fashionable romance ofPonthus. It wasn't a bad sort of book to have about a house.
DATE OF THE DIGBY Ms.
On palaeographical grounds we are safe in dating the Digby MS. after the first quarter of the fifteenth century. It falls then within a period when palaeographical data are peculiarly uncertain. The Rev. W. D. Macray, of the Bodleian Library, who kindly gave me his opinion in the matter, regarded a date about the middle of the century as the latest possible for the writing of the MS. The difficulty of determining narrowly by the language the date of a text partly changed from its original dialect is considerable, but there is I think nothing in the language of Ponthus that is incompatible with a date of about 1450. A date much earlier I think improbable.
The MS. is written solidly, without paragraph divisions ; chapter divisions are marked only by illuminated capitals ; even punctuation, except for an occasional ^[ or || is lacking. The short, downright stroke of the rubricator — see the fac- simile— is used somewhat capriciously, usually in giving prominence to capitals, or initials, but often enough within the word (e. g., 1. 18 of the facsimile tHe cristen; 1. 19, Doos anD moste — the capitals represent small letters rubricated).
Catchwords occur at the end of every gather of 8 leaves, enclosed in rough pen-drawings.
Fol. 173b, lower margin. On an oakleaf folded back the catchwords, haue a bettre.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XXV11
Fol. 181b, lower margin. On the lower part of a knight's
head and shoulders in armor, the catchword Pon-
thus. Fol. 189b, lower margin. Across the side of a large fish, the
catchwords, And Pollides. Fol. 197b, lower margin. In a scroll the catchwords, you in
this case.
The matter of contractions and terminal flourishes is treated in the section on the plan of my edition of the Digby MS. Finally the Digby MS., though itself perfect, appears to have been copied from a MS. of Ponihus that lacked a leaf (p. 57, note).
THE DOUCE FRAGMENT.
MS. Douce 384, of the Bodleian Library, is a miscellaneous collection. Its first two leaves are a folio (the leaves non- consecutive) from a Fol. paper MS. of Ponthus. The text of these two leaves is printed in full at the foot of the corre- sponding pages of text in this edition, pp. 33—35 and 42—45. The gap between the two leaves corresponds in bulk to four leaves of the same content. The Douce fragment was proba- bly then the second Fol. of a gather of four, possibly the first of a gather of three.
The text is that of the Digby MS. with the usual unim- portant variants.1 A chapter division (p. 34), corresponding to Cap. xin of D, shows that, like D, it lacked chapter head- ings. The catalogue dates it merely 15th cent. It must I think be set towards the last quarter.
lrThe fly-leaf of the MS. contains the following note in Douce's hand- writing: "This is a fragment of the Romance of "Ponthus of Galyce," printed by Wynkyn de Worde, 1511, 4to. The language of this fragment differs materially from that in the printed copy. No perfect MS. of this romance in English seems to be known." Douce also entered on the mar- gin of the fragment references to the corresponding signatures of \V, and occasionally variants from that text.
XXV111 F. J. MATHER, JR.
LANGUAGE OF THE DIGBY Ms.
Though written at a period rather late for marked .dialect in Yorkshire, the Digby MS. shows every where the traces of its Northern scribe.
If we apply the time honored test of the inflection of the Pres. Indie, of the verb we shall find that beside the regular first persons singular, and plurals with no ending or only a final e, surely unpronounced, we have a fair number of spe- cifically Northern forms.
First persons singular in -s only occur in verbs separated from a pronominal subject by another verb.
Iloue and trustes, 68, 14. Iswer' . . . and has sworne, 99, 28.
I haue commaunded and commaundes, 123, 23. And here I leve of the kyng of Bretan and retournes, etc., 124, 3.
Second person singular in -s : hams, 20, 30 ; has, 130, 32 ; 134, 28 ; makes, 130, 32 ; says, 97, 27 ; thinkes, 22, 18 ; yeldes, 130, 35.
Plurals in -s : drives, 68, 22 ; (people) dwellys, 26, 30 ; has, 87, 26; 94, 23; 95, 12; 117, 9; 134, 16; laboures, 26, 31; losys, 97, 15 ; travells, 26, 31 ; was, 129, 31 ; ye loue God and dredys hym, 62, 31.
Imperatives in -es : cattes, 38, 13 ; comes, 25, 22 ; meruelles, 83, 16; sendes, 23, 22; 113, 2.
Participles in -nd : dredand, 5, 32.
The verbal noun tythandes, 63, 5.
Beside these northern forms are the midland plurals : semen, 4, 17 ; ben, 5, 14 ; 23, 19 ; sayn, 6, 31 ; sayne, 13, 18 and 21 ; drawen, 76, 15.
Singulars in -st and -th : 2nd person, feylest, 4, 21 ; 3rd person, baketh, gryndyth, 6, 32; lieth, 5, 15; 25, 22; longeth, 23, 4; semeth, 23, 9; 119, 12; and the imperative in -th : goth, 21, 32.
It is perilous to commit oneself to any statement of dia- lectal usage in the fifteenth century, while Prof. Wright's great dictionary is actually publishing. Certain words, how-
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIE SIDONE.1] XXIX
ever, in our text are clearly Northern : As, bustus, 73, 10 ; boustously, 49, 3; gude, 63, 26; vngudely, 128, 16; gudelenes, 143, 1£; gar1 (cause), 77, 33; luke, etc., 119, 13, 29, 31 j reiosed, 98, 32; reiose, 132, 7; trast, 107, 18; traysted, 89, 9; sail, 87, 15; 134, 29; mid, 66, 29.
The use of to in the sense of till, 43, 19; 118, 33; 124, 2, and of unto, 38, 10; 39, 1 6, is Northern ; likewise the great preponderance of and over if as the conditional conjunction. The invariable awn for the intensive pronoun must be regarded as a Northernism in a text of this date.
Stujfe in the sense of provision, frequent in this text, I believe to be a Northernism, though it occurs in W, and I have noted it in Malory (Somner, 839, 1 9). Lugge, 2, 24 ; luges, 27, 9, for lodge, is probably dialectal. It is barely possible that there, 15, 35 (note), is an isolated instance of the Northern demonstrative.
It may be well to note one or two phonetic matters, possi- bly dialectal.
An intervocalic s, but pretty certainly final in pronunciation, is frequently doubled, indicating the voiceless pronunciation, pleasse, 16, 27; 31, 33; 35, 5; 56, 5, etc. The single s is usual when the word is dissyllabic; e. g., itt pleases me, if it pleasse myfadre, 79, 32. Similarly, rysse, 139, 23, and rosse, 39, 19; 45, 25; 117, 22; 139, 21, etc.
Similar is the representation of a v sound by / in gyf, 2, 1 ; 11, 29; 103, 20; gyfes, 63, 1 ; gafe, 8, 8 ; these besides forms like yevys and yeave; so relefe, vb., 8, 20. The change of 6 to p in warderop, 14, 1 ; 67, 23, etc., was possibly more general. Precisely the reverse of this is the constant representation of life by live, lyue, etc.
Certain spellings appear to indicate that the a vowel was beginning to approximate its present front pronunciation : e. g., sale, 5, 26; saled, 5, 27 for sail; prase, 94, 7 and prosed, 18, 2, beside praysed, 18, 5. Wate, 21, 15, and the verb, 65, 6. Wale (wail), 37, 15. Oaptanes, 111, 1. Ordaned, 111, 4; 112, 21; 123, 17, etc. Agane, 111, 7; 123, 16, etc., very
XXX F. J. MATHER, JR.
frequent. This fronting of the a is usually set much later. There is evidence in the present text for such a pronunciation which should at least be considered. •
The dentals differ somewhat from standard English usage. Hunderyth regularly used for hundred is probably Northern. Smoth, 21, 11 for smote occurs but once. Garthyn, 3, 23 and bothome, 5, 26, 33 perhaps hardly call for mention.
In general apart from the singular of the verb the whole text has the look of London English of its time. The Douce fragment shows no Northern peculiarities. It would be diffi- cult to disprove the thesis that the text might have been composed by a Northerner who knew standard English well and only occasionally lapsed into dialect, but it is far simpler to suppose that the translation was made in standard English of the time and slightly Northernized by the scribe, who pre- pared the present copy for the Hopton family of Yorkshire.
WYNKYN DE WORDE'S EDITION OF 1511.
The only known copy of this quarto is in the Bodleian Library.1 Since the signatures misrepresent the make up of the book it may be well to give the matter a moment's atten- tion. The book originally contained 100 leaves of which the
1 In the Douce Coll. I transcribe one or two of Douce's notes from the fly leaf. Douce notes first, his MS. fragment and French edition (Ortuin's). Then continues,
" This romance is placed among the anonymous writers in Du Verdier's Bibliotheque Franpoise."
"See it in Bibl. Reg. 15 E., vi, 6."
An instance of Douce's wide reading in obscure fields is the following :
" ' From Pontus came Sidon, who by the exceeding sweetness of her voice first found out the hymns of odes, & praises and Posidon or Neptune.' See Cumberland's Sanchoniatho, p. 33. It is a whimsical coincidence of names at least."
" This romance is an enlarged version of King Horn, see Warton, Hist, of Eng. Poetry, i, 46, new edition."
" Concerning King Ponthus see Bourdigne", Chronique d'Anjou, xxxv, &c."
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDOXE. XXXI
first two are missing. It is made up of alternate 8s and 4s (leaves) with the single exception that the last two signatures P and Q, are both eights.
8s regularly numbered i-iiij + 4 unnumbered leaves, are,
a (i and ij lacking), c, e, g, j, 1, n, p, q. 4s numbered i-iij + a single unnumbered leaf, are,
b, h, k, o.
4s numbered i-iiij, with no unnumbered leaf, are,
d, f, m.
Although a, i and ii are missing, the actual loss of text is but a single page,— exactly Cap. i of the present edition. We may safely assume then that the front of a, i contained only a brief title, that the back was blank, a large woodcut must have filled the front of b, i, leaving space, probably, only for the first rather long chapter heading (see the first rubric of R). The romance proper must have begun low on a, ij (front) or at the top of a, ij (back). Since a large portion of W is used to fill a gap in D (pp. 57-60), there printed line for line and letter for letter,1 it will not be necessary to give specimens of the text here, beyond the beginning and ending. On a, iij (front) the text begins :
'How Broadas soiie to the Soudan toke Groyne and slewe the kynge Tyber.
SO befell it as fortune it wolde one of the thre sones came as f wynde brought his navy by grete tourment that he passed besyde Groyne in galy ce and there he came up.
The romance ends q [iiij] front.
1 Through my failure to give the printer sufficiently explicit directions the right hand margins are ragged and unsightly. Of course the "justifi- cation" was accurate in the original print. Otherwise the reprint repre- sents as well as anything short of facsimile can, the typographical form ofW.
XXX11 F. J. MATHER, JR.
But
thus it is of the worldly lyfe for there is none so fayre nor so ryche so stronge nor soo goodly but at the laste he must nedes leue this worlde.
Deo gratias. q [iiij] back,
f Here endeih the noble hystory of the moost excellent and myghty prynce & hygh renowmed knyght kynge Ponthus of Galyce & of lytell Brytayne. Enprynted at London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde. In the yere of our lorde god.
M.CCCCC.XI.
Below this is the printer's mark, — a slight variation of No. 5 in E. Gordon Duff's Handlist, and a scroll bearing the name of Wynkyn de Worde.
The book is divided (counting the missing leaves as the first chapter) into sixty unnumbered chapters with headings. There are fifty-four woodcuts of very crude and feeble exe- cution.
Mr. Nicholson of the Bodleian Library kindly wrote to me of a signature of four leaves (d, i and ij) of an unknown edition by Wynkyn de Worde, in his custody, and had the fragment copied for me. The transcript corresponds page for page with signature d of the edition of 1511. Slight differences in the justification of the lines, a variant spelling or two, the differ- ence in designating the signatures (the fragment, d, i and ij -f- 2, unsigned; 1511, d, i-iiij, none unsigned), prove resetting.
In Lowndes' Manual, an edition of 1548 is noted. Re- peated inquiries at the English libraries and at the great London booksellers have brought me no information of this volume or of its whereabouts. W. C. Hazlitt, Notes and Collections, says characteristically, " I have not seen the book, but is likely that for 1548 we should read 1648."
The printed edition shows nothing of unusual interest linguistically. A few rare words are cited in my notes. The discussion of the relation of W to its French source and to R, falls to the next section.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
XXX111
THE RELATIONS OF THE TWO ENGLISH VERSIONS.
The problem of the relations of D and R offers unusual difficulties, which a statement of the general results of the comparison of the two texts will set before the reader. W is throughout a close and even slavish translation of its French original. Pp. 1-61 of D follow W so loosely that they might almost be regarded as an independent translation. D is in general shorter, condensing the narrative by cutting out su- perfluous descriptive details. Verbal correspondences of any length are rare in this portion. D, pp. 62—113, 1. 6, agrees more closely with W. The versions are still fairly distinct, but frequent verbal agreement of long sentences makes it clear that one version is in some fashion a revision of the other. D, pp. 113, 1. 7-150, is to all intents identical with the corresponding portion of W. The verbal agreement is unusually close for two prose documents of this period. Roughly speaking, then, the first two-fifths of D is a loose paraphrase of its French original, and only remotely con- nected with W; the second two-fifths is a close paraphrase, and closely connected with W ; the final fifth is a close trans- lation and virtually identical with W.
Before attempting an explanation of these phenomena it may be well to show by a representative example from the first part the relations of the two English versions to each other, and to the French text R. I have chosen Ponthus' fight with the Saracen messenger.
D (p. 21).
And Ponthus withdrewe hym a litle, and putt his sper' in the reste ; and come with a goode will & smote hym betweyn his sheld and his hel-
W (C. iijT°- ff.).
& he afrayed hym a lytell & toke his spere & came to hym a grete pace and smote hym bytwene y* shelde and the helme that he perced the
R (Fol. 210, Col. i).
II se eslogne ung pou et coucha sa lance et vient grant aleure centre lui et le fiert entre lescu et le heaulme tant qui lui perca sa manche et ses iii
XXXIV
F. J. MATHER, JR.
mett, that he brake his shuldre. And the
Saresyn smote Ponthus so myghtely that he brake his sper*. And when the kyng and the people sawe the iustyng, thei thonked Gode and said that Ponthus had wele iusted. Then Ponthus
went forthre and drewe oute his swerd, and come to the Saresyn and gave hym suche a stroke aboue the vyser' of his helme that men myght se his vysage all open. Then hade the
Cristen ioye, and hope in Gode. The Saresyn drewe oute his swerd, whiche was a full grete blade of stele, and smoth Ponthus therwith so grete a stroke that he made his hede to shake and fire to smyte out of his eeyn : so he was sore astoned of that stroke, and sore was the feght betwen theym. Bot at all tymes Ponthus hade the bettre and lay in wate to smyte hym in the visage that
mayle and the doublet/A put the Iren & the tree bytwene ye necke & the shoulders/& the tree brake well a two fote from the heed whiche greued hym moche/& the paynym smote Ponthus in the shelde & brake his spere in his breste. And whan the kynge & other sawe these lustes/ they thanked god & sayd that Pon- thus had lusted ryght fayre & prayed that god sholde helpe hym. Ponthus passed forth & made his cours & sette his hande on his swerde/& came towarde the paynym & gaue hym soo grete a stroke that he kytte a two halfe his ventayle & vnmaylled it so that ye vyser bename hym the syght & the paynym rent it of do boys- tously y* his vysage was all dys- couered/& than had the crysten men grete Toy & grete hope/& the pay- nym drewe his swerde of stele & smote Ponthus so that he made all his heed to shake & his eyen to sparkle in his heed/so he felte hym astonyed of the grete stroke /& smote the hors w* his spores & came agayne & smote him a grete stroke. So was ye batayle bytwene them stronge & longe endurywge/& all wayes Pon- thus wayted to smyte the paynym in
estoffes et lui mist le fer et le fust entre le col et les espaules, et fu rompue sa lance a deux piedz du fust, qui moult greua le payen. A pres le payen ferist pontus en lescu et brisa sa lance en pieces. Quant le roy et les autres virent ceste iouste, si mercierent dieu et disoient que bel auoit iouste pontus et que dieu lui aideroit. pontus passa oultre et parfait son poindre et met sa main a lespee et vient vers le payen et lui donne si grant coup qui lui abat et trenche la moitie de la bauaille tellement que sa visaigiere lui tollu la veue, tant que le payen la print et erracha tant quil eust tout la (?) visaige a descouuert, dont eurent grant Ioye le Cristiens et grant esperance en pon- tus quil gagneroit. A dont le payen trait le branc dacier et ferist pontus si grant coup qui lui fist la teste toute fremir tant que les yeulx lui estinces- serent en la teste. Si se senti estourdy du grant coup quil eust. Si feri oultre et reuint et reffiert le payen si grant coup que merueille fu. Si fu forte la bataille dentre eulx et moult dure. Et touteffois estoit pontws tou-
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
XXXV
was open ; and so he mett with hym at a travers, that he smote of his nose and his chynne, so that it helde hot by the skynne: so he blede in suche wyse that his shelde and his nek wer* full of bloode, that vnneth he myght sitt on hors bake. Then Ponthus toke
hym by the helme and pulled itt fro the hede, and aftre gave hym suche a stroke that he fell doune to the grounde. And when he had doon so, he smote of his hede and putt itt on his swerde poynte and broght itt to the squyers Saresyns and said to theym, " Fair Saresyns, I present you with the hede of yowr maistre."
the vysage/whiche was dyscouered /& soo moche that he wente to caste suche a trauers/that he smote the nose the mouth & the chyn/so y* all helde not bot the skyn so bledde he strongely/& soo moche he bledde y* all his shelde before was blody. The kynge & the people whiche sawe that stroke made ryght grete loye & thanked god. The paynym lost the blode & febled fast & so moche that unnethes he myght holde hym on his hors/& Ponthus ranne vpon hym sharpely tyll he caste hym doune as he that hadde loste his blode & myght holde hymselfe no more. Than Ponthus toke and rente of his helme from his heed/and afterwards smote hym suche a stroke that he made his heed for to flee too grounde. And he bowed downe and nyghed it with his swerde/and lyfte it vp and bare it vnto the two squyers sara- synes/and sayd vnto them in this wyse. Fayre lordes I present you with your maysters heed.
siours en a guet de le ferir par le visaige qui estoit descouuert. Et tant qui va getter trauersse tellement qui lui couppa le nez la bouche et le men- ton tant que tout ne tenoit que a la peau. Si seigna si fort que tout son escu estoit senglant. Le roy et la peuple qui virent ce coup firent grant ioye et mercierent dieu. Le payen perdi le sang et affoybli tant que a paine se pouait tenir sur son cheual. Et pontus lui couroit sur asprement et tant quil reuersa comme cellui qui auoit perdu le sang et lui erracha le heauZme de la teste. Et puis le feri tel coup qui lui fist la teste voler a terre. Et puis senclina et la picqua & leu a sus et la porta aux deux escuiers payens. Et leur dist. Beaulx seigneurs ie vous praente la teste de vostre maistre.
Since in this specimen, as always, W is nearer the French original than D, it is clear that it cannot be derived directly from D. The obvious working hypothesis would then be the converse, that D is essentially a revision of Ws original, a close translation of the French. The reviser setting out with
XXXVI P. J. MATHER, JR.
the intention of rewriting and condensing W would then have carried out his plan for two-fifths of the way, flagged in the undertaking for the next two-fifths, from there out, sunk to the position of mere transcriber. But this theory that W represents a complete translation of which D is an early and partial revision is far too simple to account for the facts with which we have to deal, for there is a third term to be con- sidered, namely, that in the revision of one version by the other there was reference to a copy of the French Ponthus. This is proved by the existence of variants which, while they could have come about by no process of scribal corruption in the English tradition, are readily accounted for as direct mis- translations from the French. Recognizing the possibilities of capricious revision in prose of this time I have limited myself to clear instances of independent use of a French text in D and W.
When Ponthus appoints the weekly jousting for a year in the Forest of Broceliande, being in disfavor with his lady, he appropriately calls himself le chevalier noir aux larmes blanches, to indicate his sorrow. W translates this properly " the black knight with the white tears " (see p. 58, 1. 2 f.), but D always translates " white arms." * Now it will be perfectly clear that no miscopying of teres would result in armes, and that con- versely armes could never suggest teres to the stupidest of scribes. Reference to the French sets the matter straight in a moment ; the translator of D simply read in his original for the correct aux larmes blanches, aux armes blanches, this mis- take, actually found in Ortuin's French print of about 1500, is one that any careless copyist of the French text would naturally make.
Another instance. Ponthus forced to leave Brittany and Sidone by Guenelete's slander naturally calls himself in W the " moost vnhappyest (R le plus maleureux) kuyght that lyued ; " in D (p. 67, 1. 14) he holds himself " the mervellest knyght livyng " quite unaccountably, till we see that the writer
1 Armes whyte 40, 10, 13, 28, 34; 42, 3 ; 43, 10, 13 ; 47, 17 ; 50, 32 ; 56, 4.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XXXV11
of D read merveilleux for malheureux. So (D, p. 49, 1. 19), Geoffroy strikes a stone with his " goode swerde " so that he falls. W more naturally makes him strike it " w* his fote," R "de son pie," out of the latter reading D, or a careless scribe, managed to make bon espee.
Again in W the barons advise king Huguell to make haste to offer his daughter to Ponthus because Ponthus is so rich that he " setteth bot lytel by any daunger," that is, will bear little haggling in the matter, and the king begins his speech of consent " Fair lordes — ; " we have here a reading that a copyist is little likely to have changed into, " he settes not by noo daungerous lordes," while a careless translator might well have so rendered the original R, [il] en pris mains denger Seigneurs dist le roy — , construing denger with Seigneurs and supposing the king's speech to begin only after dist le roy.1 I would not insist too much upon this, though it is the most probable explanation.
Certain unimportant variant readings, which would appear at first sight merely the work of a scribe's caprice, have MS. authority. Thus in D (p. 2, 1. 13) Brodas lands " he and xxi men with hym," the detail supported, if not mathematically, by F's lui trente vngyesme and H's lui vintiesme, is lacking in W and equally absent from R. So D (p. 3, 1. 3) sets the number of Saracens disguised as merchants at forty, two French MSS. at least give the decimal, F, xliiij ; H, Quarante deux, R gives no number; so W. Again D (p. 18, 1. 13) makes the Saracen host "twenty" thousand in number following R's xx, W reads " thyrty " following O's xxx.
A final clear case of independent mistranslation by D is: —
D, p. 14, 1. 25, "ye shuld vndirstonde wele not to bryng me another in stede of hym."
R, "Auoy," dist elle, " si eussez encor attendu, non pas [mene] ung autre pour lui."
1 The full passages, parallel, will make the point clear. R, " il a tres grant trcsor quit en pj-is main* nul denger.1' "Seigneurs " dist le roy, D, — that he settes not by no d&ungerous lordes." Sayd the king —
W, — he setteih not by ony daunger." " Fair lordes" said y9 kyny —
XXXV111 F. J. MATHEE, JE.
W, "Do way," said she, "than shuld ye haue abyde as yet & not haue broughte a nother for hym."
That is, " you ought to have waited till you could get Pon- thus." The mistranslation of D, especially the vndirstonde, is I think most easily explained on the supposition that the translator mis-read entendu for attendu, though it may be sheer mistranslation.
We come back then to the old problem with one term added. W and R cannot be independent translations, one must be a revision of the other with the use of a French text. The question then is, which is the antecedent translation ? — which the revision ? A general characterization of the two versions may throw some light on the question.
A glance at the notes on the lists of proper names in D (pp. 29, 30, 55) will show that the translator probably mis- understood these obscure French names and that successive scribes must have added to the confusion. W is singularly correct in this respect, so accurate that it is difficult to believe that it had ever been copied by one ignorant of the French original. In its chapter divisions1 W practically agrees with Ortuin's print of about 1500, and the chapter headings are with rare exceptions exact translations of those of O. This may of course only mean that Ortuin's MS. was of the same class as the original of W. The coincidence is at least strik- ing, when the three French MSS. in England differ so essen- tially in chapter divisions and headings. It is probably not fortuitous that D lacks chapter headings. The fact that it, the earliest German edition (1483) and the French MS. F, differing to be sure in chapter divisions, all appear without chapter headings, is at least an indication that the French Ponihus was originally composed without them, and that the
1 The chapter division of W corresponding to xxv, p. 88 of D, is repre- sented in O only by a break and a large capital, but W has apparently used what was originally a mere transition — " Now here I leue of Sur- dyte, etc.," as a chapter heading. Otherwise the chapter divisions are coincident.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. XXXIX
varying rubrics are, as would be expected, the work of the scribes.
We are now in a position to test the theory that D is a revision of the version represented by W. First we must suppose that a scribe setting out before 1450 to condense, unsystematically, an English romance took the pains to use the French original in this revision, we must suppose further that a plan begun thus elaborately was gradually relinquished till the reviser became mere copyist, finally we must suppose that a scribe careful enough to use a French MS. in revision, in at least two instances changed the obviously correct trans- lation before him in favor of an error in his French original, which the correct translation would have made perfectly apparent. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the improbability of any or all of these suppositions.
Forced then to the theory that W is in some fashion a revision of D made with a French original, we shall find the motives for such a revision in the probable method of preparing W for de Worde's press. Suppose that Wynkyn de Worde planned to print the famous romance of Ponthus in English. He would pretty certainly have turned over one of the early printed editions of the French Ponthus to some hack with directions to translate it. This translator would naturally avail himself of the earlier English version, which Wynkyn de Worde, most conscientious of early printers, may have rejected as inaccurate, — keeping it open before him as he translated from the French. The early portion of D, being loose para- phrase, would have supplied him only with occasional phrases and sentences, the second portion, free translation, would have furnished him much material, the third portion, close trans- lation, could have been transcribed for press with slight changes. The resulting version would then be W's rather slavish translation, which contains a large portion of the earlier D. The theory has more than prima fade probability to commend it. If W represents a translation made especially for Wynkyn de Worde's press, the unusual correctness of its
xl F. J. MATHER, JR.
proper names is immediately accounted for, and the coincidence of its chapter divisions and headings with those of Ortuin's edition ceases to be surprising.
There are only a few instances in which errors in W are more likely to be misunderstandings of D than of a French text. For instance, where Ponthus sings his song in the forest, —
D, p. 39, 1. 28, "he made ther* a song of the whiche the refrete was this melodic: — "Of byrdes and of wordly ioy is to me no disporte," etc., following.
R. " Si fist une chancon et auoit ou reffrain, " Chant des oiseaulx, etc.
W reads, " [Ponthus] made a song where he was at the refraynynge of ye byrdes, "No Joye shuld me recowforte." (Cf. note p. 39, 1. 28.)
That is, W was misled by the form of D's translation into throwing most of the first line of the song into the preceding description. D had already carried over the first word of the song (chant = melodie). W simply carried the process a point further. The mistake is not likely to have arisen directly from the French. Again W has just once the mistake " whyte armes" for "whyte teres" (the first occurrence of the phrase, D, p. 40, 1. 10). This cannot be a genuine mistranslation, for the phrase is correctly translated three lines below. Only in the mechanical copying of D's reading when the attention had wandered a moment from the French text could the mistake have arisen. Only such a mistake of the eye would have escaped immediate correction.
Though the satisfactory demonstration of this solution of the problem would require the identification of the printed book from which W was translated, — a study which I have lacked opportunity to make, — I believe that the evidence is sufficient to establish, at least provisionally, this theory of the relation of the two English texts.
To recapitulate : D is a rough translation in its earlier parts, a fairly close translation in its central portion as the translator gained knowledge of French or warmed up to the work, finally, a literal translation. The only extant copy was made probably about 1450 by a Yorkshire scribe, from
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. xll
a standard English original. A copy of this early version, somewhat better than the Digby MS.,1 lay before the man who prepared the version of W for the press in 1511. This reviser followed a French text, probably printed, closely. So he was obliged virtually to retranslate all the first two-fifths with only occasional assistance from the older translation, in the second two-fifths he revised the older work carefully from the French. The final fifth was so accurate that he merely transcribed it with minor corrections.
THE GERMAN PONTHUS.
Ponthus was early translated into German by no less a personage than the princess Eleanor, daughter of James I., of Scotland. Her motive is set forth in the first edition of
1483, where it is stated that the Archduchess of Austria [dise histori], loblich von frantzosischer zungen in teutch getransfei-iert vn gemacht hat dem durchleuchtigen hochgeporeneni fursten vnd herren Sigmunden ertzhertzog zu osttrreich, &c. jrem eelichen gemahel tzti lieb und zu geuallen. Eleanor married Sigismund of Austria in the year 1448. The earliest German MS. is dated 1465.2 Between these dates then the translation was made, and from the middle of the fifteenth century to the present time the romance of Ponthus has been readily accessi- ble in Germany. Only in Germany the romance passed the sixteenth century, there even in the eighteenth century it was published for popular reading. Probably the earliest allusion to Ponthus (the Fr. version?) in German, is in the colophon of the first German edition of M&usine, printed
1484, but written in 1456. There the translator, Thiiring von Riiggeltingen, mentions it in an interesting list : Und ich hob
1 For W furnishes not a few emendations to D in the last part, pp. 113- 150, where the versions are virtually identical. See the footnotes paaairn.
2 So in Goedeke's Grundriss, I, p. 356. Biisching and Von der Hagen, Buck der Lithe, XLVI, give 1464 in their reprint of the exact form of the colophon of the Gotha MS.
xlii F. J. MATHER, JR.
auch gesehen vnd gelesen vil schoner hystori vn bucher Es sey von kunig artus hof vn von vil seiner Ritter von der Tafelram Es sey von her Ywan vn her Gawan/her Lantzelot/her Tristran/ her Parcefal/der yegliohes sein besunder hystori vnd lesen hat Dar zu von sant Wilhelm von Pontus von hertzog wilhelm von Orliens vn von Malin [? Merlin]. Biisching and von der Hagen, Buck der Liebe, XL and XLV, cite passages from the Adelspiegel of Spangenberg and the Ehrenbrief of Piiterich von Reicherzhausen which mention Ponthus. But the best proof of the popularity of the story is the many editions of Eleanor's rather dull version. The translation which I have read in part in the edition of 1483 is a faithful rendering of a very early form of the French text, showing all the monotony of the French MS. R of the British Museum. The second edition (1498) already shows revision and successive printers worked it into the quite readable form of the 16th cent. Such der Liebe.
It could serve no useful purpose to repeat the matter in Goedeke's Grundriss, Bd. i, b. 355 f., where all MSS. and printed versions are described. I will simply enumerate the editions with brief comment, marking with an asterisk those which I have not seen.
(1) Fol. Hans Schonsberger, Augsburg, 1483. (2) the same, 1498. These like the early MS. described in Biisching and von der Hagen, XLVI f., have no chapter numbers or head- ings. * (3) Fol. Martinus Flach, Strassburg, 1509. , (4) Fol. Sigmund Bun, Strassburg, 1539. This was the edition mod- ernized by Biisching and von der Hagen in their "Bueh der Liebe" Berlin, 1809. It contains a long homiletic introduction which tells " wie und warumb si [dise histori] zulesen sei" which the interested will find at the end of Biisching and von der Hagen's reprint. It is presumably only a publisher's flourish to tell the reader that " dise [histori] ausz Frantzosioher zungen in das Latein und nachmals in unser Teutoh sprach / bracht worden sei." The translation is still Eleanor's, but consider- ably revised and provided with chapter numbers and headings.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
It enlarges the final paragraph exhorting the reader to recog- nize the shortness of life and follow the example of Ponthus. No other version has this modified ending. (5) Fol. 62 numbered leaves, no place or printer, 1548. Aside from its fine woodcuts1 this edition has a certain interest as the source of the modified version of Ponthus found in the famous 16th cent. Buck der Liebe. The introduction of (4) is again used also the chapter divisions and headings of the immedi- ately preceding edition, but there is one interesting change. Where all the earlier German versions following the French make Ponthus prepare for the tournament with a dwarf, this edition makes him consult with an " edelmann" and instead of the mummery of Ponthus disguised as a hermit, the masked old lady, shooting the shields, etc. (cf. p. 40 ff.), substitutes, in due form, a herald to direct the jousting. The change is evidently to make Ponthus' conduct conform more nearly to the actual code of the time.2 * 6) 8T0. Wygand Han, Frank- furt a. M., 1557. *(7) 8V0. No date or printer. Frankfurt. *(8)8T0. Frankfurt, 1568. (9) Buck der Liebe. Fol. Feyer- abend, Frankfurt, 1578 and 1587. Printed from a version showing the changes made in 5. (10 3) "Hitter Ponthus." 16°. Frankfurt [circa 1600], follows the Buck der Liebe. * (11) 8T0. Niirnberg, 1656. * 12) 8T'. Nurnberg, 1657. *(13) 8T0. Niirnberg, 1670. (14) 8T0. Frankfurt, 1769. To these should be added Ridder Pontus, a Low German version, "Ham- borch," 1601, the reprint in Busching and von der Hagen's Buck der Liebe, 1809, and in Simrock's Die Deutschen Volks-
1 Several of them bear the mark of Hans Schaufelin the younger, a monogram HS. and a small spade.
* Busching and von der Hagen, p. :L, had already noticed this difference between the version they printed (4), and that of the 16th. cent. Such der Liebe, but they were ignorant of this ed. of 1548, in which the change first occurs.
3 The edition is not cited in Goedeke, unless it is No. 7. It is not probable that he should have assigned so early a date to the book. I have seen 10 in the British Museum, it is if anything, later than the date assigned. My numbers 11-14 are Goedeke's 10-13.
xliv F. J. MATHER, JR.
biicher, vol. xi, Frankfurt, 1865, as usual without indication of source. Since it has the additional didactic paragraph found only in the ed. of 1539 and von der Hagen's reprint it is pretty certain that Simrock merely reprinted von der Hagen's edition. Since Simrock's series was popular rather than antiquarian in intention, it closes a tradition of nearly four hundred years of the popular survival of the romance of Ponthus in Germany.
THE PONTUS-RIMUR.
It was a curious fate that the chivalresque Ponthus, which had come through the stages of the heroic Geste of King Horn and the French rornan d'Aventure, should return towards its origins by being done into a Northern rimur. I learned first of the existence of this version through examining a small paper MS., Bor. 106 1 of the Bodleian Library, — the first page told me that it was the second part of a Pontus-rlmur and by Petur Einarsson. This is all I should have known about it, if my friend, Dr. W. H. Schofield, had not come to my aid. I print entire the notes he has kindly sent me from Christiania.
" The Icelandic work usually called Ponluz-rimur has not, so far as I know, been published. It is. however, preserved more or less complete in at least 10 MSS. (outside of that one in the Bodleian to which you refer). Seven of them are in the Arnamagnsean collection in Copenhagen, and may be found described in the Katalog over den Arnamaynceanske Handskiftsamlingy Copen., 1892-94, Vol. n, Parts 1-2, under the following numbers:
No. 1562 (AM. 611 g, 4to— paper of 17th century).
1575 (AM. 613 e, 4**— " " " ).
1576 (AM. 613 f, 4*°— « « " ).
1578 (AM. 613h,4to— " " " ).
1579 (AM. 613 i, 4*>— paper, ca. 1700). 1583 (AM. 614 d, 4to— " " 1656). 2611, 2, (Rask, 40— 18th century).
1 Ff. 1 63. The heading is, Anar Partur Pontius Rvm.no. Orrturg : Petre Einarssyne. It is divided into 17 "fits." In Dr. Schofield's notes Einars- son is said to be the author of the last 16 songs of the rimur. The difference may indicate only a scribe's subdivision of one of the original songs.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIB SIDONE. xlv
" J6n porkelsson in his Doctor's thesis entitled Om Digtningen paa Island i det 15 og 16. AarhQndrede, Copen., 1888, p. 377, mentions three others: two fragmentary paper MSS. in Stockholm, and another fragment, I Bfel. Nr. 238, 8V0.
" From the last-named book, I extract the following information as to the Ponttis-rimur, and its author :
" The work was begun by MAGNUS JONSSON surnamed PEui5i, or GAICLI, who was born between 1520-25 and died in 1591. It seems to have been written in his 33rd year, for he speaks of his first wife as then dead. He, however, finished only the first 13 songs. His heirs decided that the poem should be continued by the priest (JLAFUR HALD6RSSON (who died before 1639); but he got no farther than the 14th and loth songs. Later in the 17th century, it was continued by P6tur Einarsson of Ballard, (still alive in 1665), who began where Magnus left off, and brought the work to a con- clusion, writing songs xrv to xxix. Thus we have two versions of songs xiv and xv.
"The corresponding saga is to be found in Thott's MS., No. 513, 8TO; but this seems to have been made up after the rimur by Magnus J6nsson digri (great-grandson of Magnus Jonsson pru~5i), .died 1702. In (Uno von Troil), Bref Rorande en Resa til Island, 1772, Upsala, 1777, p. 164, we have a Pon- tti&ar saga mentioned.
" Magnus was given the complimentary surname (hinn) prtfSi, i. e., ' the elegant,' because of the distinction of his bearing, and the general esteem in which he was held. His other surname (hinn) gamli, i. e., 'the old,' was doubtless not added until the last part of the 17th century, when his great- great-grandson was a grown man. His descendants raised a very costly monument to his memory, provided with a long Latin inscription.
" In Historia Literaria hlandice, auctore Halfdano Einari, Ed. nova, 1786, p. 85, we have the following insertion :
" Magnus Johannis, regionis Torskafiordensis Choronomus, illustri genere natus, fatis cessit 1596, Historiam Ponti, pulchro verborum delectu, carmi- neque numeroso gratiorum fecit. Tribuntur porro illi in quibusdam exem- plaribus xn carmina, quse historian! Ingrari, vm, quse Conradi Richard! Imperatoris filii, & nonnulla, quse Amici & ^Emilii complectuntur historias.
" Magnus Jonsson pruiSi was one of the most enlightened and cultivated men of his time. He was considered the best speaker then living, and one of the most learned of jurists. He was also an historian, and is said to have composed annals and other similar works. As a poet he was held in unusually high esteem by his contemporaries.
" Most of his shorter poems are lost, only separate verses being found here and there in chronicles and histories. Among other things of his, which are preserved, we have a Amlkusrimur og Amilius (i. e., rimur on Amis and Amiloun), on which see Kolbing in Beit, zur Gesch. der deut. Sprache, iv, 1877, pp. 271-314; also Germania, xix, 184-189. This was
xlvi F. J. MATHER, JR.
edited by Kolbing in his Alteng. Bibliothek, n, Heilbronn, 1884, pp. 189- 229. He, however, did not know the name of the author, and was wrong in dating it at ca. 1500, for it really should be dated ca. 1560-70, or about the same time as the Pontus-rimur (see porkelsson, pp. 377-8).
" Magnus was very familiar with German. In his youth he spent several years in Germany, where he doubtless laid the foundation of his unusual and all-round culture. It looks as if it was, therefore, a German version of the Pontus story on which he based his rimur. Yet porkelsson notes (p. 118) that there are certain verses on Pontus (preserved in other Icel. documents) which are not in Magnus's poem, and seem to point to an older poem on the subject. Se"ra porsteinn Pe"ttirsson puts the Pontus-rimur in the 15th century. This is probably a blunder; but he may have known other older versions of the story than those preserved (p. 176).
"porkelsson notes further (p. 117) that certain verses of the Pontus-rimur are still living in popular tradition in Iceland."
I need only add that the form of the proper names in the Bodleian MS. made it clear that Einarsson worked from a German, not a French version ; in this it is probable that he only followed Magnus Jonsson. Gendil, f. 24b, 26, comes from the Gendelot of the German versions. Geneve, 40b, Genefe, 41b, is the German form of Guenever. Even more striking is Produs, 51b, for the French Brodas. Tiburt, 89b, is also the German, not the French form of the name of Pon- thus' father. So Henrich, 39b, 59b.
LITERARY CONSIDERATIONS.
The late prose romances have found little favor with the critics, and with a certain justice, for most of them are clearly debasements, vulgarizations in the bad sense, of stories that had been better told. MM. Montaiglon and Mayer in their passing characterization of Ponthus as pauvre lime, and faible ouvrage, evidently regard the book as at best an average example of its dull class. The indulgence of an editor for the foster-child of his fancy, if no more serious consideration, would make me bespeak for the book at least the mitigated condemnation of faint praise.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. xlvii
In its programme of " mervelles," jousts, battles and adven- tures, the book, it seems to me, calls neither for praise nor blame. Such descriptions have the inevitable monotony of the genre, yet I believe the reader will find Pouthus' first battle with the Saracen messenger convincingly sanguinary, and Guenelete, at the last, a formidable villain of a melodra- matic sort. The long lists of names, a sheer hindrance to the enjoyment of the English version, constituted a very real and legitimate attraction to the first readers of the romance. The Angevin family of Tour Landry and their neighbors certainly felt no less a thrill at recognizing their ancestors fighting for the faith than did the high-born Athenian in reading familiar names among the captains that sailed for Troy to avenge Helen's rape. But as sheer romance, Ponthus is certainly far inferior to Malory and in no way notable among stories of adventure.
As a serious and consistent attempt to draw the portrait of an ideal knight of the 15th century, in character as well as in achievement, Ponthus has, I believe, a unique interest. No great literary skill in the execution of this task was to be expected ; and yet it must be said to the unknown author's credit that he thoroughly believed in his own hero, and that his ideal of the knightly character was high and manly. So that in Ponthus we have a hero who has no vices and all the virtues, and yet is distinctly not a prig, — no Grandison out of due time. Besides the older duties of valor and generosity, the author proposes for his hero above all things a certain cleanness of life and a tactful kindliness that includes all relations of life. In the attempt to express in incident some of the finer emotions, I believe the romance rises well above its class. Recognizing fully the incompleteness of perform- ance in every case, it was no perfunctory hand that described Sidone's sorrow at her lover's departure, Ponthus' farewell to Brittany, his recognition of his mother, and many another less notable scene of the book. The romancer then offers as the chief virtues of his hero a certain sweetness and gaiety of
xlviii F. J. MATHER, JR.
mind, purity and justness of life. Only in the instructions to Pollides in the presence of his wife does Ponthus appear to strike a jarring note. A modern reader would hope that Genever's assurance, " Ser, he shall doo as a goode man owe to doo," was spoken with a certain resentment. But we must remember that the 15th century took its instruction, as well as its transgression, sturdily. The whole scene and the long homily that Ponthus reads his cousin must have been suffi- ciently in character when the book was written. Ponthus as definitely represents the later ideal of knighthood, — the tone of the book is often singularly like the life of the Chevalier Bayard, — as Gawain represented the earlier ideal of knightly courtesy. The later hero, obscurely represented in a single romance, can never in any way rival the knight of Arthur's court, celebrated by the great mediaeval romancers, but I believe that the character of Ponthus will hold a certain representative value, permanent, if humble. It was no wholly frivolous or contemptible motive that gave the book its con- temporary popularity. It was the portrait of a knight that men recognized and that men approved.
From the point of view of style, faible ouvrage the French Ponthus certainly is. Better things may be said of the Eng- lish translation. It will I believe be difficult to find any English prose of the first half of the 15th century on the whole so fluent and readable. Briskly and easily the story chatters along, when most of the prose of the time lumbers in hopeless monotony. Style, in the sense in which Malory, Pecock, or a modern has style, the story has not. It is more like good unaffected talk than anything else, — no slight merit at the time, and a merit almost wholly the translator's. Just as the homespun virtues and equally clear-cut vices of the book cannot compete in interest with the subtle union of sensuality and religious mysticism that in Malory exercises a somewhat morbid fascination, so the clearness and bright- ness of its English, excellent for its subject, may appear
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. xlix
insignificant, almost inaudible, when Malory resounds in full volume; yet there is room for both, and none of the early English prose romances is likely to suffer less by the contrast. With all its defects of proportion, and they are many, it remains a pleasantly told story "wherof a man may lerne mony goode ensamples " of an ideal of character by no means valueless to-day. In the prose of the 15th century it should gain and hold a modest place.
PLAN OF THE PRESENT EDITION.
The text printed is that of the Digby MS. with only the following changes, — the representation of contractions by the full form in Italic, the normalization of the use of capi- tals, the introduction of paragraphing and punctuation. The first change is now universal, the publishing of a fac-simile page makes it unnecessary to follow the fashion of the MS. — unsightly on the printed page, — in capitalization, the absence of punctuation in the MS. except a rare ^[ and ||, — always reproduced in the text, — makes the introduction of punctua- tion indispensable to the comfortable use of the text, finally when it is once understood that the MS. is written solidly with no breaks in the chapters, except the few marked by ^ffl, the division into paragraphs in the text, an obvious con- venience, is in no way misleading. Rare editorial changes are clearly explained in the footnotes or, in the case of inser- tions inclosed in brackets or parentheses, the former [] indi- cate matter supplied by the editor, the latter () emendations from Wynkyn de Worde's edition of 1511. To supply the lack of any running analysis in the original I have written the chapter headings inclosed in brackets. That they should be congruous with the text, I have followed the orthography, and attempted to imitate the style of the Digby MS. The perils of this sort of composition have, I hope, been avoided iv
1 P. J. MATHER, JR.
by the use whenever practicable of material supplied in the text itself, of the chapter headings of W, or the translation and imitation of the chapter headings of the French MS. The difficulty confronting every editor of texts of this period, the treatment of terminal tags and flourishes, has been the less in this case : first, because the fac-simile page gives all needful information upon this point j second, because the Yorkshire scribe of the MS. could have pronounced no final e's ; third, because most of these tags are clearly only flourishes. It seemed advisable then to disregard all except the tailed r. This is so much more clearly written than other tags and so consistently used that it seemed desirable to represent it in the text. An ? was then cut to represent the tailed character of the MS. Occasionally, usually after -r?, I have printed -rre, and -re, as more sightly.
It was at first my intention to insert all textual notes at the foot of the page. All the readings of the MS., when changed in the text, are so recorded. The impracticability of holding the proof-sheets long, made it necessary to place the longer textual notes, and a few that escaped my attention among the general notes. The proper names are frequently so thoroughly corrupted in the MS. that it seemed best in the text to abide by the strictly palaeographical reading, and to make the necessary corrections in the case of important names in the alphabetical list of proper names, in the case of minor names in the longer lists, in the general notes. Any formal inconsistency in this matter will I trust be the more readily pardoned, that the whole material is readily accessible. Finally the reasonable certainty that W is a revision of D made it super- fluous to swell this already bulky volume with its innumerable variant readings. I have registered at the foot of the page or among the general notes all readings of W which have any intrinsic interest, besides the few that appear to represent readings of the old translation better than those transmitted inD.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. li
NOTES.
CONTRACTIONS.
D. MS. Digby 185 of the Bodleian Library. W. Wynkyn deWorde's Ed. of 1511. R. MS. Royal 15, E. vr, Brit. Mus., of the French Text. H. MS. Hh. 3, 16, Cambr., of the French Text. F. MS. Ff. 3, 31, Cambr., of the French Text. O. Ortuin's Ed., Lyon, circa 1500, of the French Text.
P. 2, 1. 11, passed Spayne in Galice. The reading is justi- fied by H, [il] passa par en coste espaigne et en galice, and F, h vent le amena .... passer tovMe espaigne en galice, but Ws reading besyde Groyne is the better. It follows R, [il] passa par jouste Coulloine en Galice.
P. 9, 1. 17, Arrnoric. Ws reading Morygne appears to be a corruption of It's Montgrant.
P. 9, 1. 20, Mast. W, sayle yerde; R, tref.
P. 10, 1. 5, Susteny. R, susinio; W, sujfone (sic). Sucinio is the name of a chateau, once the summer residence of the Dukes of Brittany near Sarzeau.
P. 10, 1. 17, Viceat. W, verrac.
P. 10, 1. 30. W has only, So made he theym to lepe upon theyr horses & led theym to Vennes, following R literally.
The easiest way out of the contradictory reading in D is to read with W, theym for hym in both instances in 1. 30 f., and to suppose that the detail behinde hym, not in the French, was copied in by mistake from the passage in 1. 13. A later scribe, wishing to emphasize Ponlhus' dignity as a prince, would have added the clause and he . . . aloone.
P. 11, 1. 9, whete. W, marchaundyse ; H,fourmen8.
P. 11, 1. 31. W names the game, yf he played at the playe of the tenys, etc.; R. a la pettotte; O, paume.
P. 12, 1. 5, breke his tayle. The expression is in the Ro- maunt of the Rose, 1. 6221 :
Eight thus whyl Fals-Semblaunt sermoneth Eftsones Love him aresoneth, And brak his tale in the speking.
Hi / F. J. MATHER, JR.
P. 12, 1. 8, live dayes. W interpolates with R, the follow- ing conventional description : for he was grete and Large in y* brest & small in the waste/ & y" shuldres y" armes ye thyghes and ye fete were made of ryght deuyse/ye vysage was clere browne/the eyen so meke/the mouth rede/& the nose streyte/he semed lyke an aungell, etc. In other respects also the versions differ slightly at this point.
P. 13, 1. 11, palfrey. W adds with R, and a meruayllous gentyll faucon.
P. 13, 1. 16, Norye. R, nourriture; W, chylde.
P. 14, 1. 25, for ... copp, which translates R, is not in W.
P. 15, 1. 21 f. A mistranslation or arbitrary change. In W Sidone replies, "/ byleue the" also as she whiche was caught w{ y" lone of hym ; R, comme celle qui ia estoit toute esprise de lamour de lui.
P. 18, 1. 29, fi?-hows. W also uses the technical vfordfyre hous; R, chascunfeu.
P. 19, 1. 27, Susanne. Allusions to the apocryphal chapters
q of Daniel are, I believe, relatively rare, at least in English
v literature. In Horn et Rimel, 1. 2082 ff., Horn tells the king
that he will maintain his innocence by combat against five or
six:
Taunt me fi en eel deu. ki salua Israel. Susanne deliuerad. par lenfant daniel. E lui meimes pus. des lions el putel.
In Shy lock's taunting of Portia, "A Daniel come to judgment ! yea, a Daniel," Merch. of Venice, iv, 1, 223, is the same allu- sion.
P. 19, passim, the and thou. As in all texts of this time ye is used in polite address, thou apparently only contemptuously. In the present instance Ponthus defies the Saracen with the, and the Saracen returns the contemptuous pronoun.
Similarly p. 20, 1. 27, the Saracen in pitying scorn of Pon- thus calls him thou, which Ponthus returns.
P. 22, 1. 18, it is on the contrary used in prayer to Christ. W uses ye and your in this instance.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR 8IDONE. Hii
Ponthus, in giving the Saracen king, Corbatan, his death- blow, p. 85, 1. 2, calls him at once false Saresyn and thou.
Ponthus chides his yeoman, p. 97, 1. 15, Hold thy peace.
Guenelete, p. 97, 1. 27, calls Ponthus, disguised as a beggar, thou, in anger.
The porter of the hall, rudely brushed aside, curses Ponthus with thou.
Sidone always calls Guenelete thou as she upbraids him for his treachery, p. 130, 1. 30 ff. Ponthus similarly when on the point of killing Guenelete in the hall, p. 134, 1. 28 f. With the single exception of the instance in prayer, it is always used in anger or in scorn in this text, never in intimacy.
P. 20, 1. 2, kerchef. W, pensett.
P. 24, 1. 4, Morteyne. W adds paynel.
P. 24, 1. 5, Duches. W, Oouutesse.
P. 24, 1. 6, deid. W adds with R, and her sone was but x yere olde.
P. 24, 1. 6, Gouter. W, payne de chateau Gouty er; R, pay en; O, paon.
P. 24, 1. 29, Vale. W adds with R, the lorde of dynaux of ye brytons, brytonauntes. And of Galos, etc. The Galyce of D is then a corruption of Galos.
P. 24, 1. 30, Edmund. W and R, Guy.— Dole. W, the later form dueil. — La Roche. "W and R, ronge.
P. 24, 1. 34, Mayne. W, mam.
P. 25, 1. 14, Robt. de Sanguyn, Ranald de Sylle. The first name is hard to identify, probably a mere corruption. W, Regnault de sully /and Aygret depoully; R, Robert de clienegue, regnault de sulli & aigret de prully.
P. 28, 1. 13, ryght. R, senestre; W renders best, apparently a printer's error for left.
P. 28, 1. 14,Vicecounte Daniou. W, Erie of Dongres appar- ently the correct reading, but R has le viconte de rohan agree- ing in the title with D.
P. 28, 1. 15, Valoynes. W and R, la Roche.
P. 28, 1. 28, Creton. W and R, Craon.
Kv F. J. MATHER, JR.
P. 28, 1. 27-30. I give a characteristic variant of W, which agrees with R, Kynge Karados helde with grete dystres the erle of Mans/and the lorde of Craon/and had ouerthrowen them and many of the manceaus and herupoys/as Hamelyn de sylle, Geruays de la porte, Thybault de matheselon, Peter de doncelles, Sauary de la hay, Gerarde de chateau goutyer, Guyllam de roches, Geoffrey de lesygnen/and Leoncel. But they defended them on fote/& were assembled whiche auayled them moche. Androwe de la tour e/ and Bertram de donne sette grete payne for to recouer theym/but there was too grete prees of saresynes/ and soo grete afolke that vnnethes myght they come to them/tyU that Guyllam de roches sawe Ponthus whiche that made the renges to shake with the helpe that sewed hym. " Syr it is nede se yonder a grete partye of our barons the whiche ben on fote."
D certainly gains by dropping the list of names, but com- presses so much that the incident is hardly clear.
P. 29, 1. 6, Ralond de Avyon. Probably a corruption of R's rol. de dynain; W, Guyllam de dygnan.
P. 29, 1. 24, Vaucay. W, Bausaye mayle. — Daniou. W, danei\
P. 30, 1. 20, Peonny. W, paynell— Wylron. W, Villyers.
P. 30, 1. 21, Roger. W and O, Hongres.
P. 30, 1. 22, Gaciane de Mounte Vyel. W, Gassos de Mountreul; probably for Montreuil-Bellay. — Tenull. W and O, chenulle; possibly an error for Chemill6 in Maine.
P. 30, 1. 23, Hundes de Prouere. W, Endes de penaunces.
P. 30, 1. 24, Chastameny. W, Gautyer de chateau neuf. — Monte Agnant. W, Androwe de Montagu.
P. 30, 1. 26, Mangon. W, dauauger; O, dauaucheus.
P. 30, 1. 27, Deyne?. W, dygnan; O, dinant.
P. 32, 1. 10, lyve. W, woman; R, femme. We should probably emend by reading love.
P. 33, 1. 3, for they had hym in theyr conceyte, had is subjunctive for should have. Cf. W, to the ende that they sholde haue hym in the morefauour. A semi-colon or period should follow grace.
ZING PONTHUS AND THE FAIB SIDONE. v
P. 33, 1. 8, that . . . taken, follows R, Et puis leur dist apres quilz auvient petitement aduise; W mistranslates, after that he had auysed hym a little.
P. 33, 1. 22, thre. W, two; R, deux.
Douce Fr., p. 34, 1. 4, dyuers gyftis, dyuers is evidently a corruption of dyners. W and R concur in D's reading.
P. 34, 1. 5, draghtes. W, signes ; R, signe.
P. 36, 1. 7. W, y* isfoly to sette her herre [sic herte] so on fledde folke, an interesting translation of R's gens de vollaiges.
P. 36, 1. 26, x. W, a two; R, xv.
P. 37, 1. 13, putt fro. W, benymme.
P. 39, 1. 29 ff. I give the text of the quatrain from R :
Chant des oyseaulx ne nulle ioye.
Ne me1 puet* reconforter, Quant celle que 3 tant amoye 4
5 Me veult delle 6 estranger.
P. 40, 1. 9, wretyn in this wyse. R, vnes lettres escrites en lettre defourme; W, wryten infoure, an absurd mistranslation.
P. 40, 1. 33, swerd. W, swerde with the gyrdell of golde & the crowne of golde.
P. 41, 1. 23, rede toune. W, vyle ronge by error for R's ville rouge.
P. 41, 1. 34, Bellacion. W, brylaunson; R, bellencon.
P. 54, 1. 1, Boloys. W, bloys.
P. 54, 1. 2, Guyllem de Roches. W and R, damp Martyne.
P. 54, 1. 4, Rosylyon. W, Robert de resyUyon; R, tybault de roussilon.
P. 55, P. 55, P. 55, P. 55, P. 56,
22, Averenses. W and R, Osteryche.
23, Barry. W and R, bar.
24, Mount Bernard. W, Mountbelyart. 26, Savye. W and R, savoye.
. 1, Bellacon. W,jBelenson; R, belleneon.
1H,F, O; Remits. *H,queie. 5H,5tm«.
1 0, puet. * O, iamoic. 6 O, du tout.
Ivi F. J. MATHER, JR.
P. 59, 1. 18 ff. R, Si commencerent menestrelz a sonner de toute manieres et heraulx a crier que len eust pas ouy dieu tonner, que tout le bois retentissoit.
I have not happened upon this conceit outside of Chretien. Cf. Yvain (Foerster, 1. 2348 ff.) :
^j* sain, li cor et les buisines Font le chastel si resoner Qu' an n'i oi'st Deu toner.
P. 60, 1. 14, Ponthus. W adds with R, & his hors al wliyte with a grete rede rose that betokened his lady.
P. 61, 1. 11 f. As W explains, because Ponthus thought that Bernard should have had the prize Monday.
P. 65, 1. 14, messe-booke. W, holy gospels; R, saincte euangiles.
P. 65, 1. 27, thre or fou?. W and R, two or thre j so p. 66, 1. 13.
P. 70, 1. 26, Henry. W, always Harry.
P. 72, 1. 4, Droyte Voy. W reads always, perhaps, by a printer's error, driot voyce; so p. 91, 1. 20 and 104, 1. 17.
P. 74, 1. 27, demawnded hym. W, resoned hym ; R, la (sic) raisonna, read raraisonna.
P. 76, 1. 1, grete rumow. W, rygour, omits grete; R, grant guerre.
P. 80, 1. 20, is not myche worthe — misses the point, W, is onely but selfewyllfulnes of hertes of grete lordes; R, le debat nest pas chose fors de grans seigneurs. This is the necessary introduction to Ponthus' words on the duty of princes.
P. 81, 1. 31, stedes. W adds with R, & syxe coursers.
P. 82, 1. 11, Corbatan. W and R, always Corboran.
P. 84, 1. 8, Fireague. So O, Feragu ; but W, Feragne, and R, Ferragny.
P. 84, 1. 22, voyde place. W, grete way.
P. 86, 1. 1. R, La nef fu a merueilles grande et painte et ystoriee; W, ye shyppe was passynge grete and wele poynted. Both English versions appear to have misunderstood the
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. Ivii
description of the decorated ship, uhless poynted is an error for paynted.
P. 86, 1. 9, Coffyrs and trunkes. W, hutches and these grete cofers; R, hitches.
P. 89, 1. 5, Mounte Belyard. R, Montbliart.
P. 90, 1. 21, fonde of Guenelete. W, affonned on G. I do not know the word, are the n's misprints for it's? R, affole.
P. 90, 1. 30. It is perhaps worth while to have this cer- tainly comprehensive description in all the versions. W, for men saye y{ he hath many euyll condycyons/& also he is aged and corsyous and lame and dronklew; R, [il] est si gras si viel des monnyacle et yurongue.
P. 97, 1. 30, make his herd. I do not know this expression in the sense of give one a beating. It usually means to out- wit, as in the Reves Tale, 1. 176,
Yet can a miller make a clerkes herd, also, Wife of Bath's Prol., 1. 361,
Yet could I make his herd, so mote I thee.
P. 98, 1. 22, gallerye. So R; W, tresaunce. Bradley- Stratmann has only one instance of the word, Pr., P. 502.
P. 100, 1. 31, by x and x. W with R, by .xx. by .xxx.
P. 102, 1. 12, Doule. W, Dueyl; R, dueil.
P. 103, 1. 26, As Gode live, etc. I should have emended Gode to goode, cf. W, Ponthus sayd y( good lyfe gyue hym god as to his lorde, following R.
[PJ, lui dist gue bonne vie lui donnast dieu comment a son souuerain sires.
P. 106, 1. 28, conne you thonke. W continues, for that ye haue done so well for his soule/for all his frendes shall thanke you & gyue you grete pryce. Ponthus sayd thynges that ought to be shall fall/ye ought not for to be full gladde ye shall haue none dower by cause ye set neuerfote in his bed with him/& thus he bourded with her & talked of many dyuers thynges. And than he wente to the Icynge, etc. All this in R.
Iviii F. J. MATHER, JR.
P. 108, 1. 2. W adds that they should assemble at the toure of derbendell fast by the thalamount; R, talemont, and further expands the passage, following R.
P. 110, 1. 23, gyftes. W substitutes for the following sen- tence, And then came Guy Ham de roches a good knyghte Paraunt de rochefort/the lorde de douay, Pyers de donne, Gerarde de chateau goutyer, John melcurier with the herupoys. Of the maneeaus/beaunmount la vale, Sygles de doncelles and other of the countre of mayne. Of Tourayne baussay mayle hay and of other tourangeaus. Of poytw/the vycount of toures/the erles brother of marche/maulyon chastemur/la garnache & dyuers other. The list is not in R.
P. Ill, 1. 12, any pouere man. W omits pouere; R, SU trouast aucuns pour scauoir lestre du pays. D has apparently doubly translated pour, or it may have been repeated in D's original, once as poure, "poor," and again as the preposition.
P. 112, 1. 5, and caste — othre. W, wepte bothe two; R, pleurent tons deux lun sur lautre.
P. 112, 1. 28-30. This speech is Sir Patrick's in W. The Earl first sees Pollides and gives the command with 1. 31 ff.
P. 115, 1. 14, to-stowpe?
P. 115, 1. 17, ay to. W, a two, probably the original reading.
P. 116, 1. 13, Herupoys. W, Herupoys, Hubert de craon, Pyers de chenulle/& of knyghtes Thybault de bryse, (H. de M. as in D), Eustace de la poyssoner.
P. 116, 1. 18, Hardenyr. W and O, Ardenne.
P. 116, 1. 20, William. Wand O, Rycharde.— Pamell. W, Paynell; O, panel.
P. 119, 1. 16, vowes to the pope. The detail is neither in W nor R. I do not know of any other instance of vowing to the pope at a feast. It appears that we should read po and regard the ceremony as a peacock vow.
P. 135, 1. 8, our author need not have known Chretien's
Les iauz li beise et puis le vis Yvain, 6694.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. lix
P. 136, 1. 20, a twenty. W and R, a twelve.
P. 140, 1. 7, Chateawbreaunce. W, chateau bryaunt.
P. 146, 1. 6, so shuld ye wors reioys. W, wherof ye sholde reioyse; R, Et lamour done vous deueries iouyr. D mistrans- lates the clause.
P. 146, 1. 9, withdrawe it. I. e., you would not be able to recall her fancy (ples&unce) from her lover, when you would do so.
P. 149, 1. 17, Malle. W,MaiUes.
NAMES OF PERSONS AND PLACES.
The names of minor characters in the story are omitted ; also such common names as Spayne, Fraunce, Enylond, when the modern, geographi- cal equivalent is obvious. An interrogation point indicates that I have not been able to identify the name The variants from W, given in the notes, should always be consulted for the longer lists of names in the text.
Amroy, error /or Auray near Vannes, 96, 30.
Andrewe, see Landry.
Aniou, Dnches of, 24, 5.
Aragon, 1, 6 ; Arragonne, Kyng of, 121, 32.
Armoric,/or Armorica, Brittany, 9, 17.
Auncenys, Geffray d', Ancenis, 116, 12.
Aurences, Vicecounte d', Avranches in Normandy, 24, 3 ; error for Fr. Auteriche, 55, 22 (see note).
Avyon, Ralond de, error for Dinan, ? 29, 6 (see note).
Babilon, Sultan of, 1, 10; Eabilone, 117, 31.
Baniers, Ser William de, ? 55, 25.
Bausy, Hondes de, ? 149, 17 ; Vaucay, Lorde, 29, 24. xBellacion, another name for the "Welle of Mervells," 41, 34; Eettacon, 56, 1.
Boloys, Tybould de, Blois, 54, 1.
Breales, a Saracen, 29, 3 ; Fr. Broalis. ,- Breselyn, forest of, Broceliande, 39, 16; Breselyne, 40, 12.
Breste, 24, 21.
Ix F. J. MATHER, JE.
Bretayn, Brittany, 10, 5 ; Litle Bretayn, 9, 17; L. Bretayne,
9, 25; Bretane, 41, 19; Bretan, 70, 15; Pdy Bretan,
82, 14.
Brice, Huberd de, perhaps Breze, Anjou, 116, 14. Brodas, son of the Sultan of Babylon, conquerer of Galida, 3,
10; 4, 12; 112, 32. W,Broadas. Burgon, king of, 89, 7; Burgone, 89, 4; Duke of B., 103,
6 (footnote)', Burgonne, 101, 31. His brother Guy B.,
105, 33.
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 81, 28 ; Bishop of, 83, 14. Castellyon, Chateaugiron, Brittany, 61, 19 (note). Chastameny, Gauter de, ? 30, 24 (note). Chateawbreaunce, G-effray de, Chateaubriant, Anjou, 140, 7. Chasteaue Goute?, Chateau-Gontier, ? 24, 6 (see note). Corbadan, a Saracen, 29, 3. Corbatan, son of the Sultan, invader of England, 82, 11 ; 84,
11. W and R, Corboran. Cornewale, King of, Cornwall, 77, 6 ; 87, 11. Couleigne, Corunna in Galieia, 2, 12 ; Couleign, 2, 21 ; Ool-
leyn, 110, 32; Coleigne, 10, 23; Colloigne, 94, 27; 111,
2 ; by false etymology, Columpne, 116, 26 ; 117, 19. Creton, Craon, Normandy, 28, 28 (note). Crusses, Graue de, ? 116, 19. Dace, Earl of, error for Douglas, ? 96, 3 (footnote). Dancen, Ge/ray, ? 28, 15.
Dampdenis, Englished in W as Syr Denys ; O, dadenis, 3, 25. Danion, Vicounte, error for Douges, ? 28, 14 (note)', Geruast
D. error, 29, 24 (note). Darcy, Earle of, error, ? 96, 2 (footnote), Daunges,Vicount of, Donges, Brittany, 60, 16; 139, 3. Destrue, Erie of, Asturias, Ponthus' uncle, 7, 14 ; 111, 15 ; Des-
ture (as in W and E), 137, 7. Deyne?, Hubberd de, Dinard, 30, 27. Dole, Rauland de, Dol, 24, 30; Lady of Doule, 102, 12; Pier'
de, 30, 25.
KING PONTHTJS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. xi
Dorbendelle, toure of, Derbendelle near Talmont ( Vend&e), 110,
19 (seep. 5).
Doune, Piers de, ? 149, 14. Douncelles, Lorde, 30, 21 ; Oliver' de, 116, 18. Ellious, Sidone's maid, 14, 2; 68, 9; Elious, 14, 7; Ellyous,
15, 7; 127, 23. Fr. Eloix.
Fireague, a Saracen, 84, 8 (see note and p. 18).
Galice, Galicia, 2, 11.
Galyce, error for Galos (Gaulish Britons), 24, 29 (note).
Gener, elder of the English king, 73, 8 ; Gener', 74, 11 ; 136,
22; Geneuer', 137, 18 ; Geneuer, 143, 16 ; 144, 8. Gloucestre, Earl of, 95, 36; 140, 15; Duke of, 138, 16;
139, 1.
Gloucestre, Rolande, 72, 30. - Guenelete, Treacherous companion of Ponthus, 34, 19; 63, 11;
88, 31 ; 97, 21; 124, 11 (seep. 18). Hampton, English port, 70, 22.
Henry, younger son of the king of England, 70, 26; 84, 12. Herland, seneschal of Brittany, Ponthus' guardian, 10, 19 ; 38,
29; 90, 19; Hertande, 10, 3; 13, 10. Hungary, 57, 8.
Huguell, king of Brittany, Sidone's father, 9, 25. Irland, king of, 76, 22 ; 77, 21 ; Irelond, 76, 4, 21 ; Irlond,
76,2.
John, elder son of the king of England, 83, 2 ; 84, 9. ^- Karodas, son of the sultan of Babylon, invader of England, 27,
16, 25 ; 28, 27 ; Carodas, 18, 22 ; Karados, 27, 10. W and R always Karados.
Lay Forest, Amaulry de, ? 116, 17 ; HuUand de La Foryste,
30, 25.
Lay Garnache, John de, ? 116, 16. La Hay, Fresell de, ? 30, 23.
Lay Poys, Eustace de,/or La Possonni&re Maine, 1 16, 15 (note). , , La Roche, Bernard de, Brittany, 29, 32 ; 43, 4, 19 ; Barnard,
31, 17 ; Guyllyam de, 28, 29 ; G. de Roches, 24, 7 ; 29, 5 ; 110, 23 ; Roger' de, 24, 30.
Ixii F. J. MATHER, JR.
Lazynyen, Geoffrey de, Lusignan in Poitou, 25, 1; 31, 16 ;
43, 5 ; 50, 8 ; 107, 27 ; Lazenyen, 24, 9 ; Lazygne, 139,
17; 140, 8; Lasigne, 143, 33; 148, 7. Leon, Vicounte de, Lion-sur-Mer, 24, 28 ; 105, 10 ; Herdy
de Lyon, 30, 26.
Lyon, He of, I. d'Oleron, off La Rochelle, 110, 31 (footnote). Mahounde, 5, 6; Mahown, 1, 21. Malle, Hubberd de,? Touraine, 149, 17. Mangon, John de, ? 30, 26 (note). Mauleon, Leonell de la, ? 139, 18 ; Malleon, 149, 16 ; Maleon,
25, 2; Lernett(?) d. I. Mauelyon, 24, 10. MaulSon in the
Basses Pyrenees can hardly be the place. Mayne, Earl of, Le Mans, 24, 4 (note) ; Mayns, 28, 28. Morteyne, Erie of, Mortain, Normandy, 24, 4 ; 43, 8 ;
54, 11.
Mounte Agnant, Andres de, Montaigu, ? La Vendee, 30, 24. Mounte Belliart, Erie of, Montbeliard, Burgundy, 60, 31 ;
Belliard, 105, 34. Mountford, Monfort-sur-Meu near Rennes, 50, 20; Lorde
Maunford, 143, 33 ; Erie of Mountford, 55, 24. Mounte Vyel, Gaciane of, Montreuil, 30, 22 (note). Namptes, Nantes, 110, 18. Northampton, Erie of, 77, 2. Olive?, Herland's son, 91, 7. Panell, La Haye-Pesnel, ? Normandy, 149, 12; Guy Pamell,
116,20. Patrices, 6, 14; 8, 27; 111, 15; Ser' Patryke, 115, 24; 117,
8; Patryk, 117, 7.
Peonny, John, error for Panell, 30, 20 (note). Peyters, Poitiers, 24, 8 ; Petevynnes, Poitevins, 25, 4. Poleyne, Poland, 57, 8.
Pollides, Ponthus' intimate and cousin, 4, 4 ; 12, 31 ; 142, 11. Ponthus, in Fr. usually, in Ger. always, Pontus. Quyntyn, Monfbrd, Breut de, ? 28, 16. Quynpartorentyn, for Quimpercorentin, modern Quimper.
St. Corentin is its patron, 31, 1.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. Ixiii
Rays, Gautier de, perhaps Rai-Aube, Normandy, 28, 15;
Aubry de, 30, 27.
Ree, Tie of, off La Rochelle, 133, 12. Rey, Ryoiid de, 30, 26 (see Rays), Reyns, Rennes, 41, 22.
Richemound, Earl of, 95, 36; 136, 22; 141, 33. Rochell, La Rochelle, 133, 13. Roches, see La Roche. Sages, William du,? 116, 19. Saiute lames in Galice, 149, 6. Sainte Malo de 1'Ysle, 70, 1. Seyncte Malewe, 24, 21, possibly
an error for the Point de S. Mathieu near Brest. Seynt Gyles, Barnaby de, S. Gilles-sur-Vie, Vendee, ? or S.
Gildas, ? Brittany, 116, 13. Sidone, 15, 14; 16, 10; Sidon, 14, 1 ; Sydon, 12, 12; 15, 5;
Sydone, 56, 23 ; 57, 12. In W, Sydoyne, Fr. Sidoine. Le Surdite de Droyte Voy, Ponthus' nom d&guerre in England,
72, 3 ; 104, 17 ; Surdyte, 73, 17 ; 78, 8. Surdite, 79, 28. Susteny, forest of, probably an error for Sucinio on the Mor-
bihan, 10, 5 (see note). Syen, Henry de, 116, 13. Sylle, probably modem Sille'-le-Guillaume, 24, 5 ; Ranald de,
25, 14 (see note) ; 30, 22.
Tenull, Roland de, error for Chemille", ? 30, 23 (see note). Tesson, ? 116, 20; 149, 11, possibly not a geographical name. Tibe?, king of Galicia, 1, 4; Tyber, 3, 17. Fr. Thibor;
Ger. Tiburt.
Towars, Guy de, Thouars, 149, 16. Turnebeufe, probably not a geographical name, 30, 20. Valoynes, Bernard de, perhaps Valognes in Normandy, 28, 15
(but see note).
Vennys, Vannes in Brittany, 10, 32, etc. Vettrey, Gerrard de, 139, 2 ; Pers de Vettry, 139, 2. Vitry, Edmund de, Yitr6 in Maine, ? 24, 30. Wales, Earl of, 83, 1.
Welle of A ventures, 40, 12 ; of MerveUs, 41, 33 ; 55, 32. Wylron, Lorde, error for Vil Hers, 30, 20.
Ixiv F. J. MATHEE, JE.
GLOSSARY.
Abo wed, p. ptc. bent, bowed, 45, 9.
Alblasters, Arbalasters, 83, 6.
Ale, ail, p. ptc. alyd, 36, 25.
Aloigne, Fr. aloigner, 63, 16.
Alowed, p. ptc. praised, 30, 33. W,praysed; R, eust grant loz,
Arased, p. ptc. sprinkled, 68, 10.
Attempe, tempt, 64, 19.
Availed, lowered p. ptc., 10, 12.
Avenaunt, suitable, 53, 21.
Balengere, a large row boat, etymologically, a whale-boat, 2, 13 ;
ballengers, 133, 23, etc.
Batell, a battalion, 24, 28, etc., in b., in battle array, 27, 13. Bente, p. ptc. ofb^nd, bent, pitched (of a tent), 41, 34. Be?, a bier, or litter; hors-be?, 50, 21. Boude, probably an error, bow, 42, 29. Celed, p. ptc. hidden, concealed, 93, 34. Chalanged, p. ptc. opposed, refused, 89, 29. Chaces, coursing hounds, ? Fr. chasses, 4, 13. Cherty, affection, 136, 30. Comon, vb. associate, 147, 11. Comoners, probably participants in a tournament from the vb.
comon, but the notes suggest deliberate coinage from the
vb. come on, 139, 4, 33. Cosen, for chosen p. ptc., 53, 24. Cowardyue, cowardly, 27, 20. Cronocles, coronets, 108, 10. Dawyng, n. Dawn, 3, 7. Demaundes, questions, 10, 21 ; 16, 11; 16, 22. Devise, spy out, 24, 25. R, espier. Discesed, died, 150, 9. Discolored, blanched, 67, 6. Dismated, dismayed p. ptc., 29, 17.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
Draght, allurement, encouragement, 75, 15 ; draghtes of loue,
34, 5.
Drogman, dragoman, interpreter', 18, 24. Dunyon, citadel, donjon (fig. protection), 25, 21. Dystrakked, distracted, 129, 16. Enhauntes, exercises, follows, 1, 20. Erst, before, \V, 135, 16 (note), miswritten herfte, 67, 2. Farrotue, a, at a distance, the weak dat. plu. of the adj./eor,
48, 31 j farrom, 141, 15. Fi?-hows, building where there is afire, dwelling house, 18, 29;
also in W.
Forfeted, p. ptc. done amiss, 65, 4. Founysch,/ooftsA, 64, 1. Fylloy, follow, 39, 13. Ga?, make, 77, 33. Garuysche, provide, garrison, 23, 23, Gaynstondyng, n. opposition, 3, 15. Go£\e, joggle, stagger, 51, 11 ; gogyllyng, 52, 18. Go we?, a brooch,*? 61, 12 (note). Grifyi^/a/cons, 4, 14. Gyrtelles,/or Kyrtelles, 121, 27. H, initial, inorganic: harme, 28, 8; 29, 16; 68, 9; vn-h,
46, 16; helboys, 6, 5; herely, 5, 23; holde, 24, 27. Havi?, Fr. avoir, possessions, 144, 34. Labre, v. labor, 7, 1, etc. Langoure, languish, 68, 6. Laser*, leisure, 127, 34. Frequent in Barbour with this
spelling.
Lay, for Fr. la in proper names, 46, 8; 116, 15, 16 and 17. Lesse, shorter, 137, 22. Livelode, patrimony, 108, 30. Lovyng, laudation, 50, 7. Luges, huts or tents, 27, 9. Lugge, v. lodge Inf., 2, 24 ; p. ptc. lugged, 3, 2. Manhened, pret. maimed, 114, 29. May, for Fr. ma, May dame, 36, 32. v
F. J. MATHER, JR.
Mokkyng, mocking, 12, 3.
More, iu the sense of taller, 48, 1.
Neghtboures, neighbors, 23, 19; 81, 14.
Nobylley, nobility, splendor, 53, 13.
Norye, foster-child or ward, 13, 16.
Pensy, pensive, 39, 27, etc.
Pensyiies, pensiveness, 37, 4.
Perchen, to pierce, p. ptc. perched, 44, 13; 84, 15, etc.
Peyns, garments'! or plumes, tufts,1! 82, 1 (note).
Pris, n. praise, 31, 16.
Proloyne, absent itself, 66, 30.
Protestacion, protestation, solemn assurance, 63, 23.
Refrete, re/rain, 39, 29.
Refuse, avoid, R, refuser, 7, 33 ; cf. Barbour (glossary).
Reiose, in the sense of enjoy, 132, 7.
Repenyd, p. ptc. repined, 46, 28.
Rokkette, a small crag, 95, 4 ; W and R, roche.
Serve, deserve, 17, 3.
Skale, to scale (a wall, etc.), inf., 2, 27 ; scaled, p. ptc., 10, 23 ;
94, 26.
Somers, sumpter beasts, 97, 19. Strenghtes, strong places, 26, 30. Stuffe, v. provision; pt. stuffyd, 5, 23; 124, 24 ; 128, 8, etc. ;
frequent in Barbour. Subarbes, suburbs, 134, 10. Suyd, p. ptc. issued, 43, 11. Symphonys, musical instrument, 44, 1. Terape, tempt, try, 35, 2; pret., 124, 19. The, for theij', 2, 26; 69,14; 86,23; 100,17; 119,11; 129,
9; 130, 15; 135, 5. Titte?, sooner, 130, 12. Topp, top (nautical term), 6, 19. Trast, trust, 107, 18 ; pret. traysted, 89, 9. Vndretaken, p. ptc. surprised; R, seurpris, 27, 14. Unnes, with difficulty, 67, 8 ; 103, 3.
KING PONTHUS AND THE PAIR SIDONE. Ixvii
Ure, probably fortune, lot, as frequently in Barbour, 131, 26 (note). The meaning man, A.S. wer suggested by the note is hardly possible.
Voward, van-guard, 25, 9.
Vyse?, visour, 21, 8, etc. ; vyssou?, 41, 29, etc., a mask.
Ware, for vair,fur, 141, 8.
Wate, lay in, 21, 15, lay in wait.
Warne, direct, govern, 96, 4.
Wordle,/or world, 38, 31.
Wordly, 9, 30; 39, 30; 46, 29; 67, 16.
FRANK JEWETT MATHER, JR.
-V §S* <3>S? 3^OF-% &' <& ^ ^Jl^&^u
v-Ssii-^ii^^fiE* II'
NOW FIRST PRINTED FROM THE UNIQUE MS. DIGBY 185 IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY.]
[Gap. I. Of kyng Tiber of Spayne and his sonne Ponthus; and how the Sawdeyn of Babilon sent his thre sonnes to werre vpon the Cristen.]
[Fol. 166.] "^POw I wolle you tell a noble storye, wherof a man may -L^l lerne mony goode ensaruples, and yonge men may here the goode dedes of atmciente people that dide muohe goode and worschip in their days — how itt happenyd to the kyng Tibe?
5 of Spayne. That kyng had to his wyf the kynges doghtre of Aragon, a full holy womman. So thei had betwen theym a sonne that was called Ponthus, the moste famose childe & the moste gracious that euer was seyn in that tyme. The kyng his fadre was a full worthy man and debonere.
10 In that tyme itt happened in the Est that the sawdeyn of Babilon was of gret powe? of havyng men of armes. So he had fov? sonnes ; wherthurgh he ordayned that the eldest schuld haue his empire, and sayd to the othre thre, " Fai? sonnes, take ye noon hede to haue any of myn heritage, for I
15 wolle ordeyn that etieryche of you shall haue thirty M1 men of armes, for the whiche I schal paye thei? sawde for thre ye?, and schall yeve you schippyng and all that you nedes to haue. And eueryche of you thre schall goo in his aventure to con- que? contrees and realmes vpon the Cristen ; and which of you
20 thre that best doos and moste conquerys and moste enhauntes2 the lawe of Mahown schal be the best cheresyd with me, and
'A handsome illuminated initial N, extending through twelve lines of text. See the description of the MS. and the facsimile page.
* Enhauntes, to exercise or follow, corresponds closely in meaning to exaueera of the French original. See Bradlej-Stratmann for instances of this rare word. 1
2 F. J. MATHER, JR.
I schal gyf to hym the moste of my goodes." So the sowdeyn ordayned his thre sonnes and yeave theym that thei nedyd for to we? vpon the Cristen. And thei went to the see all thre to gedre.
6 [Cap. II. How Brodas sonne to the Sawdeyn toke Couleigne and slewe the kyng Tiber; and how a Cristen knyght named Patrices saved Ponthus and the xiij children in a schip.]
SJO it happenyd as fortune wold, that oon of the childre of the sowdeyn come, as the wynde drove hym and his navye by gret tourment, that he passed Spayue in Galice, and toke londe nygh to a gret citee that was called Couleigne, and went to londe in a balangere, he and xxi men with hym, and toke of the people the? aboute the londyng. And when he
15 asked who was lorde of that londe, the[i] answeryd and seyd
that itt was the realme of Spayne and that kyng Tibe? was
kyng of that londe. Then asked the sowdeyn's sonne what lawe
he held, and thei answeryd and seyd, the lawe of Ihesu Criste.
Then made he to withdrawe his (navy),2 as thogh he wold
20 withdrawe hym fro the contree, and toke two and twenty schippys and sent theym to the porte of Couleign and charged theyme to make theyme as nmrchauudes of cloth of gold, of silke, & of spices; and that thei schuld in the evynnyng goo into the town and lugge theyme with fovrty men of armes,
25 with habyrdions undre thei? govnes ; and in the morow erly that the[i] schuld come vpon the walles at the wate? gate, & that thei schuld gete the gate, and thei schuld assey to skale the wall and to come vp into the tovne. And as they deuysid,3 itt was so doon.
1 This capital S extends through three lines of text ; so, unless there is a note to the contrary, all initials marking chapter divisions.
*The scribe has apparently omitted navy, here added from W. The French has Lors fist retraire son nauire.
3 MS. deuydid, a sheer blunder due to the ambiguous French verb. R, Et ainsi comme il deuisa ilfufa.it. W, and so as he had deuysed it, etc.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 3
So come the xxij vesells and made theym marchaundes of Ciprice and sold thei? marchaundys goode chepe. And aftre that, the fourty men that we? lugged in the toune as mar- chaundes, nygh to the wate? gate — thei made thei? hostys to 5 ete and drynk with theym, that noon ingyne schuld be thoght. And when thei had disported theym, thei went and had take thei? avice to be vp on the gate on the dawyng, to goo aboute and deuice thei? dooyng. And when itt come to the houre, thei went vpon the wall ; and att the same houre, the sonne of
10 the sawdeyn, that was called Brodas, come to the foote of the ?ol.!66b.] wall with a grete * navye1 of ladders. And sume went on theym on hygh & thei that wer above pullyd up theym that we? benethe, so that within a while ther was a thosand or moo vpou the walles, and wanne the wate? gate, and so enteryd into
15 the toune withouten ony gaynstondyng. And thei made gret martirdome of the people, and forwith thei assailed the castell in the which the kyng Tyber was, and thei toke hym by strenght, not withstondyng the kyng defendid hym and wold not be taken, and so he was slayn.
20 And the quene went oute prively into the wodes. And the kynges sonne Ponthus, and xiij childre whiche was lordes sonnes, and a goode preste that toke theym,2 went out prively and hidde theym in a roche in a garthyn ; and the? thei we? twoo days withoute mete or drynke. And the goode
25 preste which was called Dampdenis had so grete drede, when the childeryn wold goon oute of the cave, he wenyd to haue died for theym ; and seyd, " Goo ye not oute bot if ye wolle dye." So he kepyd theym twoo days therin. Bot on the third day Ponthus sayd to his maistre, " Itt is bettre to dye on the
30 swerd then forto dye with hungre, for then we schal be cause of ou? own dethe ; and if we goo oute, we may by the grace of
1 Some word representing the nombre of W and R, or the/oueson of H & F would be more natural. I have let navye stand in the text in the sense of a ship, because I have no emendation probable on palaeographical grounds.
1 MS. theym and. See note.
4 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Gode happely fynde sume remedye." And the goode preste sayd he hade leue? dye for hungre then goo into thei? handes, and tremelyd grettly for fere.
Bot fers1 Ponthus and his cosyn german Pollides and all the 5 othre lepe oute of the roche, and anoon thei we? aspyed and all taken, and ledde to the toune to the kyng Brodas, that made hym selve kyng of the londe. And when the kyng sawe the thirten childre, thei semed to hym ryght fai?. So he asked whoes childre thei we?. And Ponthus answerd and seyd thei
10 we? childre whiche the kyng norisched for the loue of Gode and for theyr service when thei schuld be men. "And of what seruice?" said the kyng Brodas. "Ser,"said the childre, " some to kepe his grehoundes and his chaces, and sume to kepe havkes of the toure, and sume to kepe grifyns, and othre to
15 doo seruice in hall and in chaumbre." " What ! " seyd the kyng Brodas, " Clothed he his seruawntes so worthely as ye bee? — for by you? clothes that ye were, ye semen to be grete lordes sonnes." " Ser," seid Ponthus, " we be the childre bot of small gentylmen." "By hym that I serue," said the kyng,
20 " I can not see what ye be, bot of beaute and of fai? speche thou fey lest non ; bot ye muste lef your lawe that is noght worth and take the lawe that we leve on, and I schal doo you muche goode ; and if ye wolle not, I schal make you for to dye : and so chese you whethre that ye wolle." " Truly," said
25 Ponthus, "of the dethe ye may wele ordayn to you? plesir, bot for to leve oure lawe and to take youres — we wolle not for to dye therfore." " No ! " seid the kyng, "Then shall ye dye an evyll dethe."
And then come a knyght Cristen, that had taken thei? lawe
30 for drede of dethe, the whiche all way had his hertt and thoght vnto Ihesu Criste, the whiche the kyng loved myche, and sayd vnto the kyug, " Deliue? theym to me, for if they wolle not beleue vpon ou? lawe, I schal ordayn in suche wyse that thei
1Adverbial for fersly. R, Et au fort Ponlus saHli. ... H, Mais en la fin. W, shows a similar mistranslation : and by strengthe Ponthus sterte out of the caue.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 5
schal neuer doo harme vnto you? lawe." " I pray you," sayd the kyng, "and I yeve theym vnto you? gouernawnce.1' Then trowed Ponthus and his fellawes to be deid. The knyght led theym to his hous and manasshed theym sore before the Sara- 5 zyns ; and when the Sarasyns we? withdrawn, he said to assey [*Fol. 167.] theym, "Ye muste beleve on Mahounde, * or elles ye muste dye." And thei answeryd thei wold not, bot rathe? to dye. And when he sawe theym so stedfaste, he had gret ioy in his hert and he asked theym if thei had oght etyn of late tyme.
10 And thei sayd, " Not thes thre days haue we nawthe? ete ne dronke." Then he made theym to ete and drynke. And as thei ete oon of theym sayd to his fellawes, " Wherfor ete we, when we schal dye anoon ? " " Say ye not so," q[uo]d Ponthus, "in the grace of ou? Lorde ben mony remedyes. If itt like
15 hym, we schal leve; if it like hym, we schal dye; for all lieth in hym. So lete vs have good hope in hym, and he wolle save vs." And so thei ete and prayd to Gode to have mercy on theym.
The knyght herd what Ponthus sayd and prased hym muche
20 in his hertt, and seyd, " Itt we? to gret pitee to lete so fay? childre dye." And so he went fro theym and soght a schipp, and by nyght stuffyd itt with vitell for a monethe, and herely in the morowe he ledd the childre to schipp, and putt therin a schipman with theym that was a Cristm man, and putt theym
25 in the bothome of the schipp ; and when the childre we? in the bothome of the schipp, thei pulled vp the sale, and the schipp saled into the hygh see. Then the schippman come vp fro benethe and toke the gouernaill of the schipp and asked theym whedir thei wold goo. Then Ponthus said, " Sy th Gode
30 has sent you vnto vs, fai? frende, lede vs to the coste of Fraunce." And he said he wold, and bad theym not be ferd ne dredand, for thei had vitell enogh for a monethe; and told theym how the knyght had putt theym l in the bothome
1 W and R have hym and lui, a far better reading. But the repeated, therefore consistent, blunder may be the translator's. See 1. 24 f. and p. 6, 1. 1.
6 F. J. MATHER, JR.
of the schipp and the vitell with theym by nyght. Then sayd Ponthus, " Fai? Seris, knele we all down and thanke we Gode of the grete goodnes that he hath sent to vs, and pray we all to be to his plesaunce." So did the children nyght 5 and day vpon thei? knees and helboys, praying to Gode full devoutly, and (had) alonely thei? truste and stedfaste beleve in almyghty Gode.
[Cap. III. How the kyng Brodas dremed that Ponthus be- come a lion and devouryd hym ; how Patrices councelled 10 hym to lete the Cristen people yeld tribute; and how Patrices delyuered from prison the Erie of Destrue.]
SO lete we lefe of the fovrten childre and retourne to the knyght that putt theym into the schipp. The knyght was called Patrices, and he went and told the kyng how he
15 had venged hym vpon the xiiij childre that wold not beleve on Mahounde. " How have ye doon ? " sayd the kyng. " Ser" said the knyght, " ye schal neuer see theym, for I haue putt theym in a fai? schipp full of holies, withouten vitell, and lete drawe vp the sale to the topp, that broght theym into the hygh
20 see. Have no drede, for ye schal neuer see theym."
" I wolle wele," said the kyng, " for I haue dremed this nyght that I sawe the xiiij children in a wodde, and that the fai? childe that speke to me become a lion and devouryd me and hurte me in suche wyse that I dyed. So I haue be sore affrayd
25 in my slepe." " Ser," sayd the knyght, " itt is bot a dreme and malyncoly. Of theym ye be quytt." " I wolle wele," said the kyng.
Then said the knyght, " By Mahounde Ser, me aght to coun- cell you truly to my powe?, if itt like you, that no man be
30 putt to dethe, bot if he stonde at defence ; for ye have a fai? conquest. For men sayn in scorn, that as mytch is a mylne worthe that gryndyth not as an oven that baketh not. Now lete euery man beleve on that lawe that he wolle ; and that all the strenghtes & centres come to you? obesaunce and to
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 7
fol. 167b.] yeld yOU tribute; * and lette theym leve and labre, and ye schal be as ryche as ye wold be." Then said the kyng, " By Mahounde ye counsell vs truly. Goo ye and so serche prisoners ; and thei that wolle beleve vpon ou? lawe — thei schall
5 be worschipped with vs, and we schall yeve theym of oures ; and thei that wolle not, shal be? tribute to vs afire thei? powe?; and we putt all the gouernaunce of ou? law in you." So was the knyght charged vtith the gouernaunce of the prisoners and of the centre.
10 And the knyght, whiche was a worthye man and that took noon hede bot forto save the Cristeu people at his powe?, went aboute to take oute prisoners and to putt theym to a lyght ravnson. Among all othre prisoners he founde the kynge* brothre of Spayne, that was Erie of Destrue, that was sore
15 wounded with two woundes; and when that the knyght knew that he was the kynges brothre of Spayne, he toke hym by the honde and led hym aloone into a chaumbre and said to hym, " Ser, I wote ye be the kynges brothre. Ye haue gret desi? to save the countree and the people that ben fallen to
20 gret myschief into the tyme that Ihesu Criste putt remedye therin. I sey to you in goode feith secretly that I schal putt the best remedye thurgh you? goode councell that I can putt therin." Then the Erie had gret ioye to he? hym speke of Ihesu Criste, and said that he knew wele that he wold the
25 welfai? of the Cristen people and said full sore syghyng,
[Cap. IIII. How by the councell of the knyght Patrices the Erie of Destrue feynyd hym a Saresyn vnto the tyme that Ponthus schuld relefe the contree; and how thei made all the contree tributorie to the kyng Brodas.]
30 " L)yght swete Ser, I wote not whethi? ye say thus to J- \ assey me, bot wold Gode that you? hertt we? as you? movthe says." Then said Patrices and told how he was take in the batell, and forto refuse the dethe and for the welefai? of the prisoners of the batell and of all Cristen, he become
8 P. J. MATHEB, JR.
Saresyn, hot his hertt was all wey to Gode. And told hym how he savyd the xiiij children, and how he made that the kyng putt noon of theym to dethe, and that euery man schuld hold his own lawe and be? to hym tribute and seruage, 5 and how he hade doon this vnto the tyme that Gode wolde putt sume rernedye therin, and how he was charged to raun- son the prisoners. And then the Erie fell down vpon his kneys and gafe thonkyng vnto Gode, wepyng. Then the knyght toke hym vp and thei kyssed to gedre and thonked
10 Gode.
And when thei had wepyd envgh for pite, thei said that Gode had semelyd theym to doo sume goode to the people that we? in poynte to be distroed. Then said Patrices, "Fai? Ser, yitt I hope to Gode that he wole haue mercy vpon the
15 contree and his people, & I pray you to feyne you a Saresyn as I doo, and the kyng wolle haue of you gret ioye, and so by the grace of Gode we schall putt suche ordinaunce that schal be profitable for to abyde the grace of Gode. And I say to you as myn hertt says to me, that the childre that I haue
20 savyd schal relefe the contree — and in maner the kyng hath tolde me in a dreme, how that he dremed of the xiiij children, and how that the grettest become a lion and devoured the kyng." Then said the Erie, "I reioyse in myn hertt, for he is my nevew and my Gode son — Gode gyde hym." Then thei
25 swe? to hold companye to gedre — in goode and in evyll to endu?. And so thei toke thei? avice to gedre.
Then Patrices went to the kyng and said, " Ser, ye ought to thonke Mahounde, for I haue conuerted the kynges brothi? of this contree, that is the Erie of Destrue ; and so by litle
30 and litle he schal helpe to encrese the lawe of Mahounde and
he schal make you to haue grete tributes and grete wynnyng
of the contree; and he and I schal ride into the coutree to
[*Fol. 168.] cites and townes; and thei that wolle * obey schal be cheresed,
and thei that wolle not sail be punyshed."
35 The kyng hade gret ioye and made the kynges brothre to come before hym ; and so thei accorded that thei schuld ride
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 9
with the kyng into the contree. And so the kyng roode from toune to toune with thirtee thovsand men of arrays ; and so thei made all the contree tributorie to the kyng.
So itt happened aftre mony mervelles and pestilence[s] in 5 the contree. So forto passe ouer the matie?, the kyng reignyd xv l ye? as by a vengeaunce of Gode, and aftre the londe was relevyd agan.
Now lete we retorne to the children that we? in the see full sorye and full dredfull of thei? live.
10 [Cap. V. How Ponthus and the xiij children arived in Litle Bretayn and Herland the senyschall broght theym to the kyng Huguell that lete norysh and teche theym. How Herland governed Ponthns. Of the grete speche of the goodlyhede of Ponthus. And how Sydon the kynges
15 doghtre desired in hir hert to se hym.]
BOt fortune that was mervellous led theym to the contre of Armoric, which be called now Litle Bretayn. So was the wynde strong and the tourment of the see that made theym to arive vpon a roche ayeinst a forest. And as Gode
20 wold, the mast fell betwen twoo roches ; and so thei lepe vp and savyd theym selve vpon the roches eueryche of theym. And when thei we? vpon the roche, thei held vp thei? hondes and thonked Gode of his grace and said that Gode forgetteth not his seruauatz, bot he sendes theym socou?.
25 N2[ow] that tyme reigned in Litle Bretayne kyng Huguell, a worthie man and a true, bot he was olde and he had bot oon doghtre a live of all the children that he hade by hys wyfe, the whiche was sustre to the kyng of Normandie. This doghtre was the fairest, most curtes, and devoute that myght be founde
30 in anye contre. Sche was the most wordly3 ioye that hi? fadre
1 MS. xv as. As cancelled by the rubricator.
* The N in this text is very like a large & in form, but neither W nor R has an &, while such a reading would be awkward.
3A characteristic spelling for worldly which I have retained here and else- where, see glossary.
10 F. J. MATHER, JR.
hade, and com forth and chere. Was no feste hot hi? beautie and hi? wommanhode was spoken of.
So it happed that Herlande that was senyschall of Bre- tayn, a full goode knyght and a trew,1 was gouernou? of 5 Bretayn, and he hunted that day in the forest of Susteny. And, as (of) aventu?, an hertt went to the water nygh to the roche the? the children we?. So Herlande loked vp and beheld the children vpon the roche. Then he come toward theym and asked theym what thei we?. Thei answerd and
10 said thei we? aventured in the see. Then the seneschall smot his hors with his spurris and come to theym, for the see was availed and withdrawn — then the hors went vp to the belly in the see — and made theym to lepe vp be hynd hyrn and his knyghtes and his esquiers, and broght theym to the londe.
15 Then he asked theym of what lande thei we?. And thei said thei we? of the kyngdome of Spayne. Then said oon called Viceat, "Ser, Loo her Ponthus ! that is the kynges son, and the? Pollides his cosyn german, and thes othre ben barouns sonnes of Spayne.'7 And when that Herland herd that Pon-
20 thus was the kynges son, he made hym goode che? and did hym grete honour, and asked of hym demaundes. And the childe that was full wyse answeryd hym full wysely and told hym how that Brodas the Sowdeyn son hade scaled Coleigne and sloy his fadre and toke the contre ; and how thei we? taken
25 and putt into a schipp, and all the mane? as ye haue herd afore. And when the Senyschall herde the sorow of the roalme of Spayne, he hade grete pitee of the kyng and of the realme of Spayne that any suche (folke) schuld haue dominacion of the Cristen.
30 So then he made hym lepe vp behinde hym — and he toke
Ponthus and his cosyn horsse to ridealoone2 — and led hym to
[*Fol. 168b.] Vennys the? as the kyng was. * And when the kyng sawe and
hade herd of the kynges dethe of Spayne, he was full sory
1 MS. trew that was, etc. I amend by omitting that, following R. Si aduint que herlant .... estoit tout gouuemeur de bretaigne et chassoit celle iournee, etc, * See the note on this apparently contradictory passage.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 11
and hade grete pitee on the contree and wepyd, for he loved myche the kyng of Spayne, and said that he had doon myche goode and goten grete worschip vpon the partes of Spayne whe? as he had ben in werre ayenst the Saresyns, in the com- 5 pany of the kyng of Fraunce. "And I say," q[uo]d the kyng, "itt is grete hyrt to all Cristendome of the dethe of the kyng, for he was a full goode knyght and a worthie ; and as to vs Bretaynes, we haue more harrne than any othi? nacion, for we sent thedi? to chaunge ou? whete with thei? goode
10 wynes, and so we haue lost mytch more than othi? men. Bot Gode of his grace deliue? the centre of that fals lawe, and I thouke Godde that he has sent me the kynges sone and the children of the barounes, for I schal lete norysh theym and teche theym as I wold myn awn. Then he called to hym the
15 senyschall and betokePonthus to hym, and to diuerse of his con-
tre he betoke the remeynawnt. And so he departed theyme l
into the ende of iij yers and charged theyme to teche theyme
wele in havkyng and huntyng — in all mane? of disportes.
So were the xiiij children departed, as ye haue herd, to the
20 barounes of the contre. And Herland gouerned Ponthus and he lered hym all mane? of disportes — hawkyng, huntyng, playng at the chesse, daunsyng, and synghyng. Myche was the wor- schip thurgh oute all Bretayn that sprong of the grete beautie, governawnce, and curtesie of Ponthus; and thei spake of hym
25 both farre and ne?. And aboue all thing he loued God and the chirche, and his first ocupacion in the morowe was to wesch his hondes, to say his prayers, and to he? his messe full devoutely, and wold neuer ete ne drynke vnto the tyme that he had his prayers all said. And of suche as he hade, he wold gyf to the
30 poe? men prively parte. And he wold neuer swe? grete othe bot "Truly" and "As God me helpe." And he wold be as glade when he loste and when he wan ; if any man dide hym wrong, he wold sey att few wordes in faire mane? that he had
1 MS. thenne. Clearly a scribal blunder for theym. A form theime, on the analogy of thei, would be better palaeographically, but is found nowhere in the MS. N, And so departed he theym. R, Et ainsi lea deporti.
12 F. J. MATHER, JR.
wrong, and he wold yeve upp his gamrae in faire mane? rather or he wold strive ; and no man couth make hym wroth in his playng. And he lovyd neuer mokkyng ne scornyng. And if any man speke of any vices or harme by man or womman, he 5 wold breke his tayle. And he wold never play at gamine that was hurt or angre to any man, for he was the best taght that any man sen in any place, and the best and the fairest schapen in his live dayes. He semed like an aungell. The more that a man beheld hym the bettre hym schuld like hym.
10 The? was no speche bot of hym, in so myche that the reporte of his goodelyhede and of his sernelenes was myche spoken of in the kynges courte. Sydon the kynges doghtre herd so myche worschip spoken by Ponthus that she had grete desi? in hi? hertt to se hym ; and sche was hold the fairest, the comeliest,
15 the most womanly in all Fraunce or Bretayn, and best couthe behaue hi? in presence of all mane? of people, both of high degre and of lowe degre.
[Cap. VI, Of the grete feste at Vennys ; and how Sydon bad Herland bryng hir Ponthus, that was his norye, and he 20 broght hir first Pollides for^drede of evyll speche; and when Ponthus was broght, Sydon began for to loue hym, withouten any poynt of velanye, and chose hym as for hir knyght. How tithynges come that the Saresyns wer landed in the He of Breste.]
25 A ftre itt happed that the terme of iij yeres was comen -*-* vp, and that the kyng helde a grete feste in the Whis- son tyde at Vennys ; and he sent govnes of oon suyte to the xiij children ; and sent to theym that thei schuld come to the feste ; and eueryche baron schuld bryng his childe. And
30 Herland broght Ponthus, and the Lorde de La Vale broght his cosyn german Pollides that was most fai?, most goodely, [*Fol. 169.1 and best in behavyng * of theym all except Ponthus.
When Ponthus was comen euery man beheld hym. And when the kyng sawe hym, he had gret ioye and praid to Gode
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 13
to save hym and to send hym myche worschipp, and said that he schuld serve hym of his copp at the feste.
The kyng made his fest with his barones and his knyghtes in oon parte1 and his doghtre in an othi? parte. Grete was
5 the feste and the ioye and the grete sportes. Sydon, that herd the grete speche of the beautie that was in Ponthus and of his demeynyng, sche was day and nyght in grete thoght how sche myght fynd an way, with hi? worschipp, to speke with hym — for drede myche of speche of menu. And when sche had
10 thoght envgh, sche sent for Herlande the senyschall ; and when he was comen, sche gave hym a right fai? palfrey, and sche made hym ryght grete che?. Herland mervellyd of the grete che?, bethynkyng hym what sche mente, and doubted ; and aftre werd sche said all, "Ay, fair Senysshall,
15 fai? and swete frende, we pray you that we myght see your norye Ponthus, that is wele taght and right wyse, as men sayne; I pray you bryng vs hym this nyght that we may see hym, for men sayne that he can daunce and syng." "Ma dame," said the senysshall, " I schal bryng hym to you, sith
20 that itt like you that I doo soo." " Then goo," seid sche,
" and I schall see if he [be] suche oon as men sayne, or not."
The senysshall toke his leve and wente on his wey. He
was a full goode knyght, wyse and redie, and wente thynkyng
that the goode che? that he hade was for the love of Ponthus.
25 And so he was troubeled in his thoght and said to hym selfe, "Ay Sainte Marie, if I schuld bryng Ponthus, he is so fai?, if this woman sawe hym, sche myght be so take with love that sche wold haue noon othe? bot hym ; and sche myght schew to hym suche love as sche myght (be) perceyved ; wherthurgh
30 she myght haue blame, and the child loste, by envy. I wot not what to doo." So he then thoght that he wold bryng his cosyn german in stede of hym, for mony causes, and for he doubted myche the kyng, and for drede that any harme schuld fall therby. He come agayne and broght Pollides with hym.
1 The word is entered over the line.
14 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Sidon went into hi? warderop and sche made [come] a damesell named Ellious, the whiche sche loved myche and trusted vnto more than to any othi?, and she said to hi? that she hade grete desi? to se the fai? childe Ponthus, of whome 5 all men spake. So sche had a litle wyndowe wheratt sche loked oute ofte tymes, if any thyng come that wey; and so she called Elious to se that all hi? aray we? wele dressed vpon. So att the laste, as thei loked, thei sawe comyng the senysshall and Pollides that was ryght fai? and goodely. And
10 so she come down into the chaurabre and made grete che? and ioy, and toke Pollides by the honde and wold haue made hym to sytt doune by hi?. And Pollides said, " Ma dame, I wolle not sitt doune by you, for itt is no reason." " Truly," she said, "itt is reason. Ye be a kynges son."- "Ma dame," said
15 he, " that be I not, bot I am his cosyn german." "Ay," said she, "I went that ye hade ben he." So she made hym as fai? che? as she myght. Not withstandyng, she was wrothe and said to the senysshall, "lape ye with me?" "How Madame?" said he. "Ye schuld haue broght the kynges
20 sone of Spayne," said she, " and ye haue broght his cosyn
german. Wherfore dide ye so? Hold ye me such a foell."
Then the knyght kneled doune and said, "Ma dame, I crie
[*Fol. 169b.] you mercy, and be * ye not displeased, for in goode faithe I
thoght bot wele ; for I myght not at that tyme bryng hym,
25 for he served the kyng of his copp." " Yitt," said she, "ye schuld vndirstonde wele not to bryng me oon othre in stede of hym. Ye doute of me. I am not now so yong bot that I wold kepe my worshipp." " Itt is no doute Ma dame," said the senysshall. " I thynk bot wele; bot I doute my lorde you?
30 fadre that loves you so myche — for if ye make hym a litle more chere than any othre, men wold haue envy of hym — and leste any evyll myght come therof, for the worlde is full evyll ; for where that ye thinke bot goode and worshipp, yitt thei thynke othre wyse." "Ay," said she, " Ser, thinke ye no
35 doute, for I hade leve? be deid than any myght reproche me or my worshipp for any thyng — be right sure." " Ma dame,
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 15
Gode wold that every man wold as wele as I, for I wold you? worshipp and welefai? as wele as any man on live ; and sith ye wolle, I schall bring hym." " I pray you," said sche, " and tary not long."
5 The senysshall went his way to fetche hym. Sydon went into hi? warderopp to loke att the wyndowe, if she myght se hym come. So she said to Ellyous here best beloved damesell, " Yeve me my myrrottr and se that I be wele." "Sothely Ma dame," she said, " ye be ryght wele." Then said she, " Loke
10 ye if that he come." And so thei loked ofte, if thei myght se hym comyng. So att the laste Ellyous went rynnyng to hi? ladie and said, " Ma dame, se ye whe? he cometh, the fairest of the worlde."
And Sidone lepe vpp and come rynnyng, and sawe hym
15 come, and the senysshall with hym. So she sawe hym fai?, sanguyn, broune, and high — of fai? stature, so that she hade of hym grete mervell. Then she said to Ellyous, " Damesell, me semys he is mervellous fai?." " Ma dame," said Ellious, " he is no man — he is an aungell. I sawe neuer so fai? an
20 erthely creatu?. Gode made hym with his aun hondes." " By
' my faith," said Sidon, " ye say verray trauth. I trowe she
that be take with his love be fortunate." And so she went
doune into hi? chaumbre to hi? ladies and gentylwomen. And
anoon aftre, Ponthus and the senysshall come vpp into the
25 chaumbre ; and so Ponthus went forth toward Sidon with full lowe curtesie, saluyng hi? and hi? ladies. So Sidone toke hym by the honde and welcomed hym goodely and praid hym to sytt doune by hi?. And he said, " Ma dame itt is not for me to doo so." So thei made grete curtesye. Then said she,
30 " Wherfore make ye all this curtesie ? Be not ye the kynges son of Spayne ? " " Yis, Ma dame," said Ponthus, " bot yitt I be not like you, for ye be doghtre to a grete kyng and a myghty, and I be a kynges son disheret ; and so I haue noght bot by the goodeness of my lorde yowr fadre, that so myche
35 goode has doon to me." "Ay, Ponthus," said she, " leve these l
1 MS. there.
16 F. J. MATHER, JR.
wordes, for Gode has not made you suche as nature schewys you, hot forto doo for you ; l for ye be made and fouremed to haue as myche worschipp and goode, and more, then euer you? fadre had — the which Gode sende you." " Ma dame, I am
5 not in that way, hot in the mercy of Gode is all."
" Now sytt ye," said she, " I you pray and commaunde." So he satt a litle benethe hi?. Then said she to the ladys, " I pray you of sume dissportes to the senysshall and to the knyght, and that we may he? Ponthus syng and se hym
10 daunce." And Sidone, that myche desired to talke with Pon- thus, putt hym in demaundes of mony thinges. So she thoght hym passyng wyse of his age. Among all othre thinges she said, " Ponthus ye haue bene long tyme in Bretayn withoute seying of vs." " Ma dame, I be in gouernaunce and so me
15 oght to obey." " Itt is reason," said she, " bot I demawnde [*Fol. 170.] you, haue ye envy to see vs and ou? ladies * that be here ? " " Ma dame, nay for sothe, for here is a full fei? company to see." "I you demaunde," said she, "haue ye any wyll to any ladie or gentyl woman, to be hi? knyght ? " " For sothe Ma dame, nay; for the seruice of me is bot litle worthe." "Pon-
20 thus," said she, " save your grace, ye be of the place to be of worschipp to serve the grettest ladye and the fairest of all Bretayne." So thei hade enugh of diuers demaundes betwen theym, in so myche that she said, " I wolle that ye take the state of knighthod, and that ye be hold as for my knyght.
25 And when I here that ye doo you? selve worshipp, I wolle haue ioy of you." " Ma dame," said he, " Gode thonke you and Gode send me grace to doo that may pleasse you and all yowr ladys, for the dedes of a poue? man be litle worthe." "Yitt," said sche, "I wolle wele that ye wytt how that I
30 holde you as for my knyght, and when that ye doo bettre then any of my knyghtes, I shall loue you for the beste, and ye schal wante no thing that I haue ; and I wolde that ye made surement to serue me aboue all othre, in worschipp;
1 "To aid you" — R, Dieu ne vous a pas fait .... pour vous deffdire. W,/or to vnmake you.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 17
and thinke ye not hot that I thinke worschip." "Ay, Ma dame, I thonke you of the grete worshipp that ye offre to me as myche as I may. Gode yeve me grace to serve itt ynto you? worthynes." " I shall say you," said she, " that I wolle 5 loue you as my knyght, and that ye be of suche mane? that I may percey ve that ye thinke noon othre wyse bot forto kepe the state and the worshipp of me ; and if ye thinke any velanye, I shall neuer loue you." " Ma dame, I hade leue? be dede than to thinke any thyng that shuld turne to you? diswor-
10 shipp or to my lorde your fadi?1 dishonu?." "Then wolle ye prornys me, so as ye be a kynges son ? " " Yea Ma2 dame, by my feyth," seid he. Then she yeave hym a ryng with a dia- mounde and she said that he schuld bere that for the loue of hi?. " Ma dame," said he, " Gode thonke you." So he toke
15 itt and putt itt vpon his fingre.
And afire that, she lede hym to daunce, and aftre sche praid hym to syng. And so he dide hi? commaundement, as he that felyd hym self take with loue. So he song so goode and so swete a song that it was marvellous to he?. Then he was loked
20 vpon with ladies and gentylwomen and gretely praysed. And then eueryche of theyrn disired in thei? hert the felischipp of hym and said omong theym, she was full happy that hym list forto loue and cherys. And aftre that thei hade daunsed, the? come furth spices and wyn ; and so Sidon yeave to the senys-
25 shall a copp of golde full of wyn, and the senysshall thonked hi? myche. And when thei hade wele disported theym, the senysshall said, " Ma dame, we beseche you of leve, for itt is tyme that we go.o to the kyng." So she yeave theym leve, and she prayd the senysshall that he shuld come ofte and se hi?,
30 and he said that he schuld. So she and Ponthus loked full amerously at thei? departyng, bot she keped hi? as coverte as she myght.
1 The flourish of the r is bolder than usual. It possibly represents an es. I have preferred to regard fadir as the old Gen.
* MS. my dame.
2
18 F. J. MATHER, JR.
And when thei we? goon, she asked of the ladies, "How say ye of Ponthus?" The? was noon bot thei prased hym gretly ; and the? was sume said that she was right happy that myght haue suche oon to hi? loue. She myght wele say she had the 5 fairest and the flou? of the worlde. So the ladys praysed gretly Ponthus and that was grete ioy and comforth vnto Sidone to here, if she durste say bot litle, bot that sche said he was fai? enugh, and prayd to Gode to kepe hym from all evyll tunges.
10 The feste dured thre days with grete ioy and welfai? and all maner of dissportes. So itt happened the? come mervel- lous tithynges, that said that the Saresyns we? londed in the He of Breste and were mo then twenty thovsand. So the courte was gretly trovbelyd, so that thei couth make noo che?.
15 [Cap. VIF. How tithynges come to the kyng of Bretayn that the Saresyns were come in to his lond ; how Ponthus answered the Saresyn that said that his la we was better then the Cristen ; and how the kyng made Ponthus knyght.]
20 A boute the myddes of the day the? come furth a knyght
[*Fol. 170b.] J_A. and twoo * squyers Saresyns in message fro the kyng
Carodas that was sonne to the sawdeyn, oon of the iij sonnes
that ye herde of before. The knyght was huge and grete,
stronge and horrible to se. A drogman he made to say, and
25 said on highe, that the son of the sawdeyn was comen into the contree to do a wey the Cnsten lawe and to puplisch the lawe of Mahounde ; and badd the kyng of Bretayn to forsake the Cristen lawe and take hym vnto the lawe of Mahounde ; and to haue tribute of hym and of Query fi?-hows in his realme;
30 and if he wold not, he wold distroy all Bretayn and putt all to the swerde.
The kyng herde the manashyng and grete pride of theym. He wyste not what to sayn and said no worde.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 19
Then loked vpp Ponthus and saw that noo man spake noo worde. He lepe furth and said, " I am a simple child, I wolle not soffre hym to dispyse ou? holy lawe afore me." And so he knelyd doune before the kyng and asked leve to answe? the
5 Saresyn. The kyng graunted hym, when he sawe noon othe? wold speke. Then said he to the knyght Saresyn, "I shall answe? the, and say, that you? lawe is hot temptacion and damp- naciou, and live of the fire euer lastyng, and ou? lawe is helthe and saluacion and ioy that shal endure; and as to yeld tribute
10 to you, we be free, and suche seruege shall we neuer doo to you, by the grace of Almyghty Gode."
Then said the Saresyn knyght, " Be the? any too men that wolle fyght ayeinst me, that Mahounde is not grettre then you? lorde Ihe.su Criste?" Then answeryd Ponthus, "If it pleasse
15 Gode, we wolle not putt too ayeinst the. I am yonge and feble, I caste myn hodde to a wedde for to defende thes wordes befor the kyng." And the Saresyn stode vpp and said, "Undir- stonde that I wolle fyght with the and oon othe?." "I aske bot my self," said Ponthus. The kyng and the Barounes we?
20 wroth e that Ponthus had waged batell with the Saresyn and
that he had caste doune his wedde ; bot it wolde not be amended.
Then said the kyng, "Ay Ponthus, ye haue putt vs in grete
disease of hert, that ye haue ben so hasty to cast doune you?
wedde — ye that be so yong — ayeinst yonde kuvght, that be so
25 stronge and myghty." " Ser," said Ponthus, " knowe not ye that at the request of Daniel, that was bot a child, thurgh whome1 Gode savyd Susaune? Mervell ye not of the mer- velles of Gode. Whome Gode wolle haue keped, shal be keped. I hold me sure and hardy ayeiust hym. Doute ye not of me."
30 When the kyng herd hym thus speke, he weped, when he consideryd the goodnes and the hardenes of hym ; and for the
1 The omission of thurgh whome would set the sentence straight, but there is no reason to suspect scribal corruption in this case. Inconsequent con- structions are so common in this text that I shall never indicate them, except where a probability of scribal error justifies emendation.
20 F. J. MATHER, JR.
pitee that he hade of the childe, he besoght Gode full humblely with all his herte to helpe hym att the iorney.
" Ser," said Ponthus, " make ye me knyght and yeve me armore, and I shal goo and doo my devir." The kyng maked 5 hym knyght, and girde hym with a sworde, and kyssed hym & he weped sore, that he myght not speke oon worde ; and then he lete arrne hym with the beste armowr that he hade, and yeave hym the best stede that he hade; and when he was armed and on hors bakk, he was so fai? to se, and satt so
10 streght and so wele vpon his hors, that it was grete ioy to see hym. And his xiij fellawes weped for pite and for fere of hym ; and Herland the senysshall was full sory; and so was all maner of people sory and wrothe, that he that was so yonge shuld fyght with oou that was so strong; for men
15 said that he was the myghtehyst and the hardeyst among all the Saresyns.
Grete was the speche of Ponthus that he wolde fyght : in so
myche that worde come to Sidone. It is not to be demaunded
*Fol. 171.] whethre that she made any sorow or hevynes for * hi? knyght.
20 She sent hym a kerchef to be? on his spe? ; and when he sawe itt, he reioysed hym in his hertt and thonked hi?; and she went prively into hi? warderopp and said hi? prayers for him devoutley.
[Cap. VIII. How Ponthus slewe the Saresyn and sent his 25 hed to the Sawdeyn.]
And when he was on hors bak, the Saresyn said to hym : "Goo fetche an othre to helpe the, for thou be to yonge; and I haue grete pitee of the, for thou be so fai? a child. Itt we? grete harme that I schuld sloo the, by Mahounde. Ther- 30 fore it is goode that thou gaynsay all that thou havis said and pray Mahounde to foryeve the thy evell wordes that thou hast said of hym." "Knyght," said Ponthus, " leve thes wordes. Thov shall see anoon the vertue of Ihesu Criste. Defende the, if thou wolle."
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 21
And Ponthus withdrewe hym a litle and putt his spe? in the reste ; and come with a goode will & smote hym betweyn his sheld and his helmett, that he brake his shuldre. And the Saresyn smote Ponthus so myghtely that he brake his spe?. 5 And when the kyng and the people sawe the iustyng, thei thonked Gode and said that Ponthus had wele iusted. Then Ponthus went forthre and drewe oute his swerd, and come to the Saresyn and gave hym suche a stroke aboue the vyse? of his helme that men myght se his vysage all open. Then hade
10 the Cristen ioye, and hope in Gode. The Saresyn drewe oute his swerd, whiche was a full grete blade of stele, and srnoth Pouthus therwith so grete a stroke that he made his hede to shake and fire to smyte out of his eeyn : so he was sore astoned of that stroke, and sore was the feght betwen theym. Bot at
15 all tymes Ponthus hade the bettre and lay in wate to smyte hym in the visage that was open ; and so he mett with hym at a travers, that he smote of his nose and his chynne, so that it helde bot by the skynne : so he blede in suche wyse that his sheld and his nek we? full of bloode, that vnneth he myght
20 sitt on hors bake. Then Ponthus toke hym by the helme and pulled itt fro the hede, and aftre gave hym suche a stroke that he fell doune to the grounde. And when he had doon so, he smote of his hede and putt itt on his swerde poynte and broght itt to the squyers Saresyns and said to theym, " Fai? Saresyns,
25 I present you with the hede of your maistre. Goo and be? it to the sawdeyn sonue you? kyng. And (tell hym)1 it was at his requeste — this batell for the prevyng of ou? feyth and his, and that God shewed by a childe that he is verray Gode, and thus by hys poe?2 he schall shewe that ye hold on a fals la we;
30 and say to hym in shorte wordes that itt shall be hastely knowen and shewed, whethi? that my God or his be more myghty. So goth oon your wey, for ye shall goo save and sure — for a messynge? shall haue noon harme, bot if he require dedes of armes."
1 R. El lui dicies quc. ... * R, puissance.
22 F. J. MATHER, JR.
The squiers toke the hede and the body and broght1 itt to thei? kyng and all his lordes Saresyns, and told hym and theyrn all the mane? of the request of the batell, and how the Cristen was of the age bot of xviij yeres at the moste. So 5 the kyng and all his lordes Saresyns was full wroth and soro- full of thei? knyght, and thei had mervell of that aventu?, for he was holde (the best knyght) and the strongest on thei? party. So thei buried hym aftre thei? mane?. So lefe we of hym and retourne we vnto Ponthus.
10 [Cap. IX. How Ponthus gave thonkynges to Gode for the victorie, and how he auised the kyng to assemble the princes and barounes ayeinst the Saresyns. How the Cristen ordeyned their batells.]
POnthus smote his hors with the spores and rode streght to the hygh chirche, yeldyng thonkynges vnto Gode full devoutly, and said, "Ay, swete Ihesu Criste, thi dedes be mervellous, for by thy grace I haue the victorie of my n enemys, [*Fol. 171b.] and I knowe that thou thinkes * on thi pove? seruauntz; and goode Lorde haue mercy of me that am thy povere seruawnt, 20 and on this contree that is in thyn honde." Then he made his offeryng and lepe vnto his hors and so went vnto the kyng.
It is no demaunde whethi? the kyng & his barounes we?
glade and made of hym grete ioy and grete chere. The kyng
toke hym aboute the neke and kyssed hym, sayng thes wordes,
25 " My fai? swete frende, we truste in you that ye schall delyuer
vs and ou? countre frome ou? aduersaries that wold ouergoo vs."
Aftre this itt is no question if Sidon and hi? ladies made
ioy ; and thei said, that beautie, bounte, and manhode we?
assemelyd in his person — "this was mervellously doon of hym.
30 We pray to Gode to save hym from all evyll."
Aftre this the (kyng) sent for all his barounes and knyghtes to here howe the Saresyns we? comen to his countre, and the
1 MS. broght a. The a is cancelled by the rubricator.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 23
kyng asked of eueryche of theyra his avice. So thei we? all abasshed and astoned for the grete multitude that thei we?, that thei couth gyve noon answe?. So the kyng asked of Ponthus his avice. " Ser," said Ponthus, " to me itt longeth 5 not to speke, that ben so young, — of litle reson, befor so rnony knyghtes." The kyng commaunded hym to say his opinion. " Ser," said he, " for you? worschipp and to fulfyll your com- maundement I shal speke as a clerke of armes and as a childe among wysmen, bot all'wey foryeve my folye. Ser, it semeth
10 me that this people, how many so euer that thei be, [be] 1 not gretely to be dovbted, for we be, and shall be,2 (in Gode Almyghty) that may save or distroy with fewe people mony of theym ; for in this case sett oon agayn oon hunderyth in kepyng of his feith, for this tovcheth all Cristentie, that be
15 seruattutz of Gode,3 and all Cristen people wolle come to helpe you at that tyme; for if thei wynn ou? contree, all othre con- tres wolle not be sure ne sike?. Wherfore I wolle counsell you, by the goode avice of yowr knyghtes that be here present, to send to princes and barounes that ben your neghtboures,
20 that thei be here within xv days ; and by the help of Gode and of ou? goode diligence men schal doo theym suche harme and angres that thei? gode schal neuer amende itt. Also sendes to garnysche your fortresses of men and vitell, & make strong you? tovnes and castells — and in especiall, theym that be next
25 the countree that thei be in — and withdrawe and distroye vitell frome theym."
1 The obvious emendation of the passage is the insertion of a second be following the French. II me semble, combien que ceste gent soient grant nombre, ne douient pas estre tant doubtez, car nous seruons et sommes a dieu tout puissant, qui puet sauuer, etc. The passage might stand without emendation if how many so euer might be regarded as a clause in opposition to people. This seems to me incongruous with the style of the text.
8 MS. be of gonde myght enoghe. The context shows clearly that goode, as is the case a few lines beyond, must be a corrupt reading for Gode and necessi- tates the emendation of the clause. I have adopted the reading of W for we shall be and ben in gode almyghty; which follows the French, vid. supra. Both English versions appear to have had an original reading serous instead of the seruons of K. 3 MS. goode.
24 F. J. MATHER, JR.
This counsell was holden goode aboue all othi? and was fulfilled. And messyngers was sent throgh oute the centre that was next: as in Norrnandie to theVicecounte d'Aurences, to the Erie of Morteyne, to the Erie of Mayne, to the Lorde 5 de La Vale, and of Sylle; and to the Duches of Aniou, for the Duke was deid ; also he sent to the Lorde of Chasteaue Goute?, and to Guyllen de Roches, to Bortane de Doune, and to Landry de La Toure; into Petewe thei sent to the Erie of Peyters, bot he was goon to Rome, and thei sent vnto Geffrey de Lazenyen,
10 to Lernell de La Mauelyon, and to Henri de La Marche : so thes knyghtes we? chosen for the best that was in thos dayes in thoos contrees aboute theym. And all thos that we? sent vnto, they sent to the centre aboute theym, that thei schuld in all the haste come in thei? best aray, that thei myght come
15 to gedre to helpe the kyng of Bretane ayeinst the Saresyus that wold distroye the Cristeu people.
It is noo question bot all maner of people we? comyng toward the iourney in thei? beste array ; and so by the xv days' ende thei we? comen to gedre — a grete mayne of all
20 manei' of people, of the which the kyng made grete ioy. And
so they toke thei? wey togedre toward Breste and to Seynct
Malewe, whe? was the oste of the Saresyns, that pylled and
distroyed the Cristen aboute they in.
[*Fol. 172.] Bot the Cristen ordeynyd fou? thosand * horsemen to ride
25 aboute theym and to devise the oste. So the Saresyns doubted of batell, thei we? so ne? aproched. Then the kyng and Pon- thus ordenyd thei? batells ; and by cause the kyng was holde, he hade to helpe to governe his batell theVicounte de Leon and the Lorde de La Vale and othi? barounes; and of Galyce,
30 Edmund de Vitry and Rauland de Dole, Roge? de La Roche. In the secund batell was Ponthus and Herland the senysshall. With hym we? Normandes, the Erie of Morteyn, theVicounte of Averences. The third batell was taken to gouerne to the Erie of Mayne and barounes and knyghtes of Aniou,1 Guyllen
36 de Roches, Andrewe2 de La Toure. And of the fourte batell
1 MS. Avyen read with R and W Aniou. * MS. landrewe.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 25
hade the gouernaunce Geffray de Lazynyen l and Leonell de la Maleon, in the which we? Normannes, Manseons, and Petievynnes.2 The Normannes we? by estimacion ixc men of arraes ; Angevyunes and Petevynnys we? fou? thovsand wele 6 fyghtyng men, as by estimacion.
[Cap. X. How the four batells of the Cristen rode toward the pauellons of the Saresyns aboute the poynt of day.]
And so the? we? fou? grete batells, in the whiche Ponthus and Herland had the voward ; so thei rode toward
10 thei? enemys, and the kyng and othre that we? with hym in the rerewarde, and luged theym vpon the felde ; and thei ordayned the halfe to wake, whiche watched, whils the othi? halfe dide slepe. So the? happed a grete affray aboute myd- nyght ; for Robt. de Sauguyn, Ranald de Sylle and a grete
15 company de la Breste3 come rydyng with iijM1- men of armes toward the batell and thei we? aspyed and knowne ; and thei made grete ioye of thei? commyng; and of thei? desi? thei putt theym in among the Angevynnes.
Then said the kyng to Bertam de Doke4 and to Landry de
20 La Ton?, " Fair Serls, thonke we Gode ye be worthie men and of grete worship; ye be ou? strenght and oure dunyon; in youre hondes lieth myche of oure besynes. Comes not to the besynes vnto the tyme that it be nede."
Ponthus and Herland ordaned the Bretaynes in array.
25 Then said Ponthus to the kyng and to the lordes, " Serls I councell that we sett vpon theym before day, or aboute the poynte of day, before that thei be armed or thei? horses sadylled and or thei be putt in ordinaunce. Thus thei schal
1 MS. De la Zynyen. * MS. petie vynnes.
3 1 do not understand this de la Breste. R reads : . . . venoient a la besogne a bien Irois cens escus, which W translates literally. Our translator's origi- nal may have made the reinforcements come from Brest.
Apparently a mistake for Bertam de Doune mentioned above. So in W and R.
26 F. J. MATHER, JR.
be more easly discomfytt." " Truly," said the kyng and the lordes, " this counsell is goode. Let vs goo to hors, for itt is tyme." Then euery man armed theym and lepe to hors.
The wedi? was fai? and bryght and the mone shone full
5 bryght. So thei rode toward the Saresyns, that was ayeinst
Breste in thei? pavellouns, and toke thei? counsell thus : bot
if thei shuld be foghten with, thei wold ouerride all Bretan.
And thei broght with theym engynes and laddirs f'orto con-
que? the contre and thei dovbted not, for thei trowed to haue
10 no batell, and thei made bot litle dowtes by cause of the grete
multitude that thei we? of.
[Cap. XI. How the Cristen and the Saresyns ordaned their batells. How Ponthus rescoued the kyng of Bretayne and slewe the kyng Karodas, and aftre that the Saresyns 15 were putt to flyght, wanne the grete tresour. And how Sydon made grete ioy of the worschip, that he receyved in this batell.]
A1
*ftre itt happed that the batells approched so nygh that thei sawe the Saresyns, the whiche had mony pavyl-
20 louns of dyuers colours. Then said Ponthus, that gyded theym that we? in the firste batell, to his people, " Se here the Saresyns that wold disheryte vs of oure faithe. We ben in the seruice of Almyghty Gode, wherfore noman haue noo doute bot that oon of vs is worth mony of theym ; and I pray
25 you of too thynges : oon is, aboue all thyng to truste in Gode, for by hys powe? we shal come aboue oure enemys ; the secunde is, that ye take no thyng to pyllage ne to noo covetyse, bot oonly to discomfytt oure enemys and to putt theym oute of oure contrey, in the worshipp of oure faithe and for pitee of the
30 pouere people that dwellys oute of strenghtes in the feldys —
that laboures and travells, in whome we lyve. Therfore be
[*Fol. 172b.] we strong and stable to * defende the chirche and theym."
1A extends through two 11. in the MS. ; so also the initial A of Chapter vn.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 27
And when he had said to theym thus, he said, " No we goo we forth my frendes, and euery man thinke to doo wele."
Then euery man toke hert to theym, and smote thei? horses toward the tentys and began to bete doune tentys 5 and pavyllouns, and to sley sume as thei we? armyng theym and sume naked ; and so thei made in that syde mony to dye. Grete was the noyse and the crye among theym. So cleryd the day. Then thei began to loke vpp, and the Bre- tayns laid on and putt fire in they? luges — and in so myche
10 that the kyng Karados was on hors bak in a playne with a grete batell, and said to his people on hyghe, " Euery man drawe to his captayne and putt theym in ordinaunce, for itt is nede." Then ye myght see the Saresyns putt theym in batell, notwithstondyng thei we? vndertaken, for there were sleyne
15 of they me vijML and that was the fourte1 parte of thei? people; bot the kyng Karodas was a marvellous goode knyght and of grete corage, and when he was on his hors, he toke his bane? in his honde to releve his people. And when thei herde his voice and his home, itt conforted thei? hertes and recoueryd
20 the hertes of the cowardyue.
And aboute the sonne rysyng was grete crie and grete noyse, for aboute that tyme thre batells of oure people were comyn to gedre in the syde of the Saresyns, the? myche was to doo, to feght — and ou? people to putt fyre in thei? lugyng. Then
25 the Saresyns drewe theym to gedre aboute the kyng Karodas. Grete were thei? strokes on both sydes and grete was the crye of theym that we? slayn and hurtt.
In that othre side faght the kyng of Bretayn, the whiche was fallen of his hors in the grete prese. And Ponthus by
30 aventure loked vp and saw that the kyng was fallen douue to the grounde. He was full sory and wrothe, for he was like to haue be deid, ne had Ponthus and the Lorde de La Vale ben besyd hym to helpe hym. And Ponthus, that toke litle hede of hym selfe, that sawe his lorde in distresse, he laid
1 The « of fourte is written over an unfinished h.
28 F. J. MATHER, JR.
aboute hym with his sworde on euery syde, so that he slowe both hors and man ; so that euery man mervelled of his myght and thei fled fro hym for ferde of his strokes : so that by the helpe of Herland the senysshall and his cosyn germayn 6 Pollides — for thes thre keped theym euer to gedi?, and they1 dide so mony grete dedys of armys that they rescoued the kyng and lyght adoune forto helpe hym vp, for he had his harme broken, the whiche grevyd hym sore, for he was nyghe oon hunderyth yeres olde. A goode knyght he was and of
10 grete corage. So he was on his hors bak in disspite of his enemys, and he was ledd oute of the batell.
Grete was the batell egrove2 on that oon parte and on that othre. So Ponthus behelde the batell on his ryght honde, that hade myche to doo, and therin was the Vicounte Daniou,
15 Gautier de Rays, Bernard de Valoynes, Geffrey Dancen, Breut de Quyntyn-Monford, and mony othre barounes of Breytayn that we? bett doune and in grete aventure of they? lives, for the? we? x Saresyns ayeinst oon Bretayn. Then said Ponthus to his fellawes, " Loo he? oure people that has myche to doo,
20 and nede of helpe ! Goo we to socou? theym." Then they smote thei? horses with thei? spurrys so fersly that thei threw doune theym that was before theym. And Ponthus went all afore and dide sloo the hardiest that wold abide. Thei dide so myche, within a whyle they rescoved theyr men and putt
25 the Saresyns to flyght and made theym to resorte into the
grete batell the which was grete and hyddous.
[*FoL173.] Bot the kyng Karodas helde full shorte3 the Erie of * Mayns and the Lorde Creton and the othre Maunceouns. Guyllyam de La Roche sawe Ponthus and cried to hym and
30 said, " Loo here of youre people on fote ! " Then come Pon-
1 The French and the context suggest the reading he (Ponthus) here and below, but the departure from the construction is characteristic.
2 egrove can only be the p. ptc. of growe, the e representing the original ge prefix, v with the value of u or w is not infrequent in this text, but I have no other instance of its intervocalic use. R, Moult fu la bataille cruelle dune part et dautre, which W translates literally.
3 R. . . . tenoit moult a destroit.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 29
thus and brake the presse and rescoued the Erie and othre that hade nede. And when thei were remofnjted,1 the batell was full cruell. The kyng Karodas and Breales and Corbadan, his vncle, dide marvellously dedys of artnes and most harme
5 to the Cristen. They had bett doune Guyllyam de Roches and hade slayn Ralond de Avyon and mony othre. Then said Ponthus to Herland and to Landry de La Toure, "Take hede of the kyng and of too knyghtes. If they endure any while, they wolle doo myche harme ; and if we myght putt
10 theym to dethe, we shuld haue the victorye of all othir." "Ser," said Landry de La Toure, "goo we to theym." Then said Ponthus, " I wolle goo vnto the kyng." And so he went to hym and smote hym so grete a stroke that he fellyd hym to the grounde — that he brake his nek; and Landry de La Toure
15 bett doune Corbadan ; and Herland smote doune Breales and kytt of hys harme. And when thes thre wer bett doune, the Saresyns we? gretly dismated and gretly dyscomforted, and stode as shepe withoute an herdman. Then thei begayn to flee, and oure men ran aftre with grete crye and toke of
20 theym ; and they wyst not wethi? to flee bot toward theyr shyppes. And the Saresyns turned agayn and faght strongly, for mony faghte for the kynges dethe, and mony of theym knewe not of his dethe. And they hade bett doune the Lorde Vaucay, Geruast Daniou, the Lorde de Mounte John, and
25 Lewpeyne2 de Rocheford, and distroyed and slew mony of oure men.
So at the last oure men toke herte, with comforte of Ponthus, so that thei bett theym doune. Ponthus dide mervellously, for he stroke doune hors and men and all that wold abide
30 hym. So they bere hym companye — Geffray de Lazynyen, Landry de La Toure, Leonell, Guyllen de Roches, and Ber- nard de La Roche, and Herland ; and as they went they made way — and so that noon durst abyde theym. Ther Ponthus cried and said, " On theym ! On theym ! They flee as shepe."
1 R. remontez. The scribe has omitted the nasal mark. * Probably Le Payne. W, payne de R.
30 F. J. MATHER, JR.
And the? they slewe so many of theyra within a whyle that all the felde ran of bloode and lay full of deyd bodyes, that it was mervell to see.
And they that myght ascape fledd to their shippes, and
5 Ponthus aftre and toke a bote and slew xxxty and toke foure scoore and asked theym whe? the ship was that the kynges tresowr was in. And they schewed itt to hym, whiche was a fai?, grete shipp. So they led hym and Pollides into itt. And they caste ouer the borde all the men that they fonde in itt.
10 And so they saw an othe? fay? shipp that his golde and syluer was in. Then said Ponthus to six of hys men, " Kepe ye thys, and I wolle goo see if there be any that wolle lyfte upp his hede ayeinst vs in that vessell." So he went into itt and toke itt.
15 The? ye myght see Bretanes, Maunceouns, Petevynes, and Normanes — sume goo to shippes and sume to tentes, and so the? was not the powrest, bot that he wanne grete riches. Then aftre they serched the felde for the Cristen men, euery man for his frende. So the? was fonde deid on the felde the Vicounte
20 d'Auerenses, John Peonny, Turnebeufe, the Lorde Wylron ; and of Maunceouns, Roger de Biamount, the Lorde Douncelles, and the Lorde Sylle ; of the Hyrpos, Gaciane de Mounte Vyel, Roland de Teuull, Hundres de Prouere, and Fresell de La Hay ; off Petoy, Gauter de Chastameny, Andres de Mounte
25 Agnaut, Hulland de La FojYJyste;1 and of Bretanes, Pie? de
[*Fol. 173b.] Doule, Ryoud de Rey,* lohii de Mangon, Herdy de Lyon,
Hubberd de Deyne?, Gaudyffry de Rouen, Aubry d[e] Rays,2
and mony goode knyghtes. Eueryche caryed home his frende
and buryed theym that we? deid and healed theyrn that we?
30 hurte.
Ponthus made the grete tresotw come to Vennys to hys hous and departed therof full largely and yeave to hys knyghtes and to his men, so that he was gretly alowed of all men.
*R abridges the list of slain earlier. W, Hubavlt de la forest. O, Urbain de la forest.
2 MS. aubryd Rays. O, Aubri de Rais.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 31
The kyng drew hym to Quynpartorentyn and the? he dide assemble all the grete lordes, and made to theym all a grete feste and yeave to theym grete gyftes to eueryche aftre his estate, and said to theym, " Fai? Lordes, ye be comen, Gode
5 thonke you, to the smiice of Gode and of the chirche and of the pouere people, and by the helpe of the Grete Lorde and of you? grete worthynes and hardynes, ye haue delyueryd this contree of Saresyns that wold haue distroyed ou? lawe and ou? landes. Thonke we God of his grace, that has
10 yeaven vs suche victorye, for agayns oon of vs the? was six of theym."
So itt was gretly spoken of theym that faght the beste and gave the grettest strokes and did the moste dedes of armes. Bot withoute comparacion Pontlms hade the name and the
15 laude afor theym all, and they said that he had all wonne and gete. Also they gave grete pris to Geffray de Lazynyen, to Landry de La Toure and to Barnard de La Roche, for they we? thre of the best aftre Ponthus. The kyng held his feste thre days; and aftre they toke they? leve of the kyng;
20 and Ponthus convened theym furthe; So Query man went home into his awn contree ; and the kyng repared to Vennys.
It is not to aske if Sydon made grete ioy ; and she said to Ponthus, " My swete frende, blessed be Gode of the grete wor- schipp that ye haue recey ved in this batell ; for as Gode me
25 helpe, I haue so grete ioy of the worschipp that I he? spoken of you that it puttes myn herte in full grete gladues, and there [is] no thyng that dos me so myche goode, as the goode name that every man yevys to you." " Ma dame," said Ponthus, " it is not as euery man reportes, bot I thonke you
30 of the worschip that ye wold doo me ; and Ma dame wytt ye wele, that if God sende me grace to doo any goode, itt corny s of you ; and I wold fayne doo so, that I myght fall in his goode grace, and to doo to you suche seruice that myght pleasse you." " Ponthus, your seruice I take wele a worthe,1 whyls
1 Paraphrasing R, voslre sendee prens ie bien en gre de lout man .™. Tant comme ie vous trouuery loyay (sic) etc., which W translates literally.
32 F. J. MATHER, JR.
that ye be trewe and withoute thinkyng of vylanye to me, for I wold that you? love be clene and sure; and wytt ye wele, that if I perceyve any othre wyse that ye thynke, then to youre worschipp and myn and to my frendes, as myche as I 5 love you, I wolle hate you." " Ma dame," said Ponthus, " ne trowe ye not ne thynke ye not that I wolle ymagyn ne thynke bot to you? worschipp, for I haue fonde you so goode, clene, and trew, that I loue and prayse you a thowsand tyrnes the more — fore the? is no fayre? thyng in thys wordle then is 10 a goode, clene lyve."
So they loued mytch to gedre and of trewe, clene love. Bot envye that may not dye comes aftre vpon theym, as ye shal here more playnly he? afire. So lete vs leve to speke of theym, and turne to the kyng.
15 [Cap. XII. How by the voice of all the barounes Ponthus was chosen constable for the kyng. How he kepyd the ryght of Bretayn, and how he was loued of all men, and in especiall of fair ladies and gentylwomen.]
T
Uie kyng come afore all his barounes and said to theym, " Fai? Seris, I shal say you that I am full olde and I 20 may not travell as I was wont to doo ; and fro now forward me must take myu ease. Wherfor by your councell I wolle chese a constable that shal haue the besynes of the londe of Bretayn, and suche oon as the barounes and the comons of the londe wolle beste obey vnto. So like ye, who be the moste 25 profitable ?— for I wold fayne that he we? chosen by youre avice."
" Ser," said the barounes all with oon voice, " we wot not
[*Fol. 174.] whe? to * haue a bettre, if itt lyke hym, then Ponthus, for he
is moste worthie to gouerue ane empyre, as for bountie, beautie,
30 of wytt & gouernaunce and geutylnes — as a kynges soue, and
with the beste begynnyng of his knyghthode that thys day is
lyvyng."
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 33
When the kyng herd this, he hade grete ioy, for itt was all that he soght and desired, bot he wold not withoute thei? desire and speche, for they had hyra in theyr conceyte and grace, and so the? was noo gaynsayng.
5 So was Ponthus called furth and the? itt was said to hym before all, that the kyng and the barounes hade chosen hym constable of Bretayne,1 as for the moste sufficient. So he thonked the kyng and all his barounes and said to theym that they had a small avice taken, and that he had nawthe? wytt ne valure to gouerne itt, and that he was to yonge. Bot
10 to blame hym selfe it avaled not, for he was charged ther- with, all excusacions laid aparte.
So he was in office welbeloued and dred ; for if the? we? any dyscension betweu the barounes and the knyghtes, he wold sett theym in peace, and acorde theym. He kepyd the
15 ryght of Bretayn withoute dooyng wrong to any man. He was loued of all men. He iustyd and made festes and revellys. He was ryght plesaunt to grete and small, and in especiall among ladies and gentilwommen. He was curtes : if any did of his hoode to hym, he wold doo of his as sone to hym. He
20 wold here the pouere and doo theym ryght. He wold not that the pouere we? grevyd. And he loued Gode and the chirche. He herd euery day thre messes at the leste. He loued woddes and ry vers and all honest dissportes.
[Fol. 1.] ' Douce Fragment A begins here: I normalize partially the capitaliza- tion but retain the punctuation of the MS.
Bretayn. as the most sufficient. So he thankyd ye kyng and the barouns and sayd to theym that they had take a small [avice] and that he had not 5 wytt ne gouernaunce ne valour to gouerne it and that he was to yong But to blame hym self yt avayleth not for he was then chargyd wold he nold he. So he was in his office well belouyd and dred for yf there were eny dissen- cion by twene the barons and the knyghtis he wold set theym in peas and concord. He kepte the right of Bretayn without doyng wrong of eny man 10 he was louyd of all men he iustyd and made festys and reuelles. He was plesaunte with gret and small and in esspeciall amonge ladyes and ientil- women he was so curtes yf eny man dyd of his hode to hym he wolde do of his as sone. He herd the pore and he dyd theym ryght. He wold not that pore people were grevyd. And he lovyd God and holy churche he hard
3
34 F. J. MATHEE, JE.
If he come into a toune, he wolde send for ladyes and gentyl- women and make theym to daunce and syng. All dissportes and ioy come the? as he was ; for he wold make to theym dynnars and sopers. He was beloued of mony fai? ladies and 6 gentylwomen, that shewed to hym mony fai? draghtes of loue, hot he neuer disired loue of ladies ne of gentylwomen othre wys then to thei? worschip, for any che? that they made hym. So they wold say among theym oon to oon othir, " She was full happy that was belouyd of Ponthus ; " and dyuers said 10 to theym self, " Wold Gode, he wold loue me as myche as I wold loue hym." //
Myche he was beloued of grete and of small. Bot envy that neuer lakked was putt in oon of his xiij fellawes of his contrey, that was a grete speke? and a flatere?1 and couth 15 mony fals engynes.
[Cap. XIII. How Guenelete had envye of his maistre Pon- thus ; and how by his evyll spekyng he put dyscencyon betwen Ponthus and Sydone.]
SO he hade to his name Guenelete, that sawe of Sidon the loue, and of his maiste? Ponthus. He had therat envye, and forto assey hym, he asked of Ponthus oon hors that Sydon
euer two masses and after he louyd to go to the woodys and to the revers and to all disportis Yf he come to a town he wold sent (sic) for ladyes and ientyll women and made theym to daunce and syng and all dyssporte come there he was and ioye also for he wold gene theym dyuers gyft/s He was 6 louyd of many a feyre lady and gentyll woman, that shewed to hym meny a feyr draught of loue but he never desired loue of lady no ientylwomen. none other wyse than to theyr worshippe. for eny chere that they made to hym. So they wold sey one to another. She was full happy that was [*Fol. lb.] belouyd of Ponthus. Another said wold God that he * louyd me as moche 10 as I wold do hym Moche he was belouyd of gret and small but envy that lackyd not [was] put in one of his xiij felowes that was a gret speker and a flaterer and couth meny fals wrenchis. * * * *
e was namyd Evenylet (sic) that saw the loue of Sydony and his mayster Ponthus He had gret envye and for to asay [hymj he askyd Ponthus an hors that Sydonye gaue hym. So he thought well that he mygt
lie -1 — *-
MS. flatrerer.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 35
hade yeven hym. So he wyst wele that he myght not haue hym, hot for to assey hym and forto ternpe hym || he said, "Maistre, yeue me Liard that Sydon yeave to you." " Truly," said Ponthus, "that wolle I not yeave you, hot goo to my stable 5 and (take) oon othre — suche oon as wolle pleasse you, for the? be more faire? then he." " For sothe," said Guenlete, " I wolle noon hors haue, bot if I may haue Liard." "Ye may not haue hym," said Ponthus. "How so?" said Guenelete, "Thinke ye myche of oon hors to me? I owe to truste full litle in you."
10 "How so?" said Ponthus, "Is it not sufficiaunt to you to chese of all myn horses oon of the best? And if ye be not pleased with oon, take you twoo of the beste."
Guenlete passed ouer and made hym ryght wrothe and said in his hert, " I wote wele I shal fayle of hym, bot he shal be
15 dere boght, if I live long." He thoght full evyll, as he that was full of envye and of flaterye, and thoght to goo and hyndre him first vnto Sidone.
So he spake with a damesell that was the pnvyest with [*Fol. 174b.] Sydone and * glossed hi? with wordes and said that he loued
20 hi? myche and that he muste tell hi? a grete councell ; and made hi? to swe? by Gode and by all his saintes, that she schuld not discure hym. Then said he, " I loue so myche the kyng and my lady his doghtre, as theym that norysched me,
not haue hym and to temple hym. Mayster. he sayd geue me Lyard that Sydony gaue you. Trewly said Ponthus that wyll 1 not geue you. But go to my stable & take such another as wyll please you for there be more feyrer. For soth sayd Guynelot I wyll none hors haue but Lyard Ye may 5 not haue hym sayd Ponthus What sayd Guynelet let ye to geue an hors to me I aught full litull to tryste to you. How so seyd Ponthus suffichith not to you to chewse of all my hors. And yf ye be not pleasyd with one takyth two of J>e beste Guynelot passyd ouer and made him right wrothe and seyd in his hert I wot I shall fayll of hym & he shall be dere bought
10 yf that I lyve longe. He thought full evyll as he that was full of envye and of flatery. And thought to hyndre hym to Sydonye. And that in haste. So he spake to a damysell that was privye of councell with Sydonye. And glosyd her with wordts and said that he louyd her moche and that he muste tell her a gret councell where fore she swerith by God and by all seyntis
15 that she wold not discouer hym. I loue so moche —
36 F. J. MATHER, JR.
therfore I wolle hide no thyng that schuld be agayne theym. Know ye1 not," he said, "that Ponthus my maistre makes my lady and youres to beleve that he loves hi? more than any othre in the worlde? Wytt ye wele, he hot iapes with [hi?],
5 for I haue perceyved that he loves an othre bettre by the halfe : so it is folie for hi? to sett hi? hert on any man that be so chaungeable, for suche wold stond in grace of mony, and they be full disceyveable. Therfore it is goode that my ladye take goode hede to hi? self."
10 Then said the damesell, " In good faithe, I trowed that he had ben more trewe then he is, bot at all tymes I wote wele for certayn that he desired ueuer thyng of my lady bot goode ; bot nowe I se wele he is not suche on as hym semyd."
Then the damesell trowed that he said trewe and come vnto
15 hi? lady and said to hi?, " Ma dame, ye must promys me that ye wolle not discure me of that thyng that I wolle tell vnto you." And aftre that, she told hi? of all that she had herd — howe that Ponthus loued an othe? bettre then hi?.
When Sydon herd that, she was full sory and full heuy in
20 hi? hert, what che? so euer she made. So at the laste Ponthus come to se hi? as he we? wonte to doo, makyng glade che?. And Sidon made mornyng che? and was thoghtfull and she mad[e] to hym bot sadd che?. And Ponthus was abasshed and come to hi? damesell Ellyous and asked hi? what
25 Sydon alyd. " Truly," said Ellyous, " I wote not, bot it is nowe x dayes and more sithe she made goode chere2 as she was wonte."
Then Ponthus went vnto hi? and said, " Ma dame, what che? is with you? Haue ye any greuownce? Is the? any
30 thyng that I may doo for you? Commaunde me as you? awn." And she said, " Noon may wytt to whome to trust ; this worlde is so mervellous to know." "Ay, May3 dame, mercy" said he, " say ye me wherfore ye say thes wordes. Is
1 ye entered above the line.
* chere entered above the line.
3 may for ma and lay for la are not infrequent. See glossary.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
37
the? any thyng that I haue doon, or any othre, that has displeased you?" "Nay," said she, "hot so myche I say to you." So he depa?*ted and went into his chaumbre, full of sorowe and of pensynes. Ponthus myght no more come 5 forto haue goode che? as he was wonte, so he percey ved wele that he was hyndered to hi? by sume fals flatere?. And so he went agayn, trowyng to wytt the cause, bot it was for noght, for he couth wytt nomore at that tyme.
That nyght he was full sorowful and lay thinkyng with-
10 oute slepe, sayng, "Alias, sorowfull catyve ! What haue I doo? Who has hindred me to my lady? Alas ! What is he or she that wolle slo me, distroye me, murthre me so vntruly with oute any deseruyng ? Who be they that wolle putt fro me my most ioy worldly and make me nyght and day langu?
15 and wale?"
So hertly and petuosly complenyd Ponthus; and if he had hevynes, Sydone hade myche more. She said, "Alias ! Who shall haue truste in any man ? I am decey ved, for I trowed that he hade bene true aboue all othre knyghtes. Howe has
20 natu? thus fayled to make oon the most faire, the most gracius, the most best hold of worship, most curtes, most large, of all goode maners, withoute any thyng wantyng — howe has thou forgete to putt in hym truthe and stable- nes ? Alias ! it is grete pitee and reuthe." Thus sorowed
25 she, the fai? Sydone.
[Cap. XIV. How Ponthus, that got no chere of Sydone, de- parted from the courte secretly.]
[*FoL 175.] * A nd by this meane the? was myche trowble betwen theym, -£\- so vntruly was thes too treue louers put in to greuawnce 30 and sorow by this flatere?.
Ponthus, that had litle reste and slepe, rose vp in the mornyng and went to here messe ; and aftre he sent for Ellyous to speke with hi?, the whiche he loued wele, by cause that Sydon loued
38 F. J. MATHEK, JR.
hi? the best and was the most secrete aboute hi? ; and he said to Ellyous, " My swete frende, I mervell mych of that that my lady says to ine, in so myche that I trowe that I moue neuer haue ioy in myn hert." "Ay," said she, "ye may not 5 doo so, for I supposse my lady doos itt bot to assey you, or ellys it is by sume reporte that shal be founde a lesyng, and therfor I wote not wherfor ye shuld be so discomforted." " Ay," said he, " my loue, I wot not what ye thinke, bot I wole a while oute of the contree and I wolle not come agane
10 vnto my comyng a gane may please hi?."
He said no mor at that tyme, bot withdrewe hym into his chaumbre and called to hym oon auncient squye?, his name was Gyrard, and said to hym, "calles iiij yomen and lete trusse myn harnes prively, for I wolle goo awhile hens, bot
15 not full farre, nygh to the ende of oon ye?; and I wolle Herland be for me leutenrtwn<>, for he is a goode knyght and a worthie."
Then he went to the kyng and said that he wold goo a whyle from thens. The kyng said to hym, " My dere frende,
20 goo ye not farre bot that I may se you ofte tymes, for in you is all my ioy and the sustenawnce of my life and the gouern- aunce of my reaume." " My Lorde," said he, " I thynke not to goo into noo place, bot and I here that ye haue any thyng to doo that touches your worshipp, bot that I wolle come to
25 you in shorte tyme." Nevy? the les he had myche to doo or he gate leve to goo.
So he toke leve of the kyng late in the evynnyng full privelly, that noo man perceyved hym ; and so he wente into his chaumbre and sent for Herland the senysshall and said to
30 hym lyggyng on his bedde, "Herland my swete frende, I wolle goo a while forto se more of the wordle, and to aquante me with goode knyghtes ; so I haue spoken to the kyng that I wolle leve you as for lyeuteucwnt. Also I pray you as ye loue me to be goode frende to my cosyn german Pollides and
35 to myn othre felowes." "Ay," said Herland, " whethre woll[e]
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 39
ye goo my fai? frende?" Said he, " I goo bot a litle way hens. I wolle not tarry long. I wolle also that nooman knowe therof, for a cause." Then Herland wold nomore enque? hym and dovbted not that he wold tarry long.
5 And when Herland was departed from hym, he then sent for1 his clerke and made hym to make twoo \ettres. Oon was to yeve his power* to Herland the sensshall and that othre was to recommaunde hym to his fellawes, prayng theym to doo goode seruice to the kyng and to obey Herland, and that
10 he son wold come agane. And so he sealed theym and betoke theym to his clerke and bad that he shuld not delyuere theym vnto that othre morowe at nyght. He dide so for doute that his fellowes wold fylloy hym.
When it come to the houre of myd nyght, he rosse and
15 arrayed hym and went furth as prively as he myght and rode all that tyme vnto he come to the forest of Breselyn.2 And then he wente into the pryore that was nyghe besyd — and nyghe to itt the? was an hermytage that stode all solitarye in the depenes of the foreste. The? he was vj days. And euery day he rosse
20 erly vpp to goo to the hermytage to he? messe, and did myche [*Fol. 175b.] abstynence, for he fasted thre days in the woke and * euery friday he wered the hare.
So he thoght myche vpon the kyng, that he was olde, and that the reaume was intendaunt to hym. So he thoght that
25 he myght not goo farre, lest any disease or trouble we? in the contree ; and so he was all peusy and heuy in his thoghtes.
He herd the byrdes syng swetly and merrely — and [it] was in the myrre moneth of Apryle — and so he made the? a song of the whiche the refrete was this melodic : — " Of byrdes and
30 wordly ioy is to me noo disporte, sythe that she that I loue the beste has me enstraunged and of hi? loue dy scorn forthed."8 And he made therof a wele goode note.
1 MS. fro.
* MR Bree yn lyn, yn cancelled by the rubricator and e inserted above it.
3A quatrain in the French original. See note.
40 F. J. MATHER, JR.
[Cap. XV. How Ponthus sent a dwarfe thurgh all the con- trey of Fraunce to anounce and she we of dedes of armes that shuld be made in the forest of Breselyn euery tuys- day of the yere.]
A1
nd aftre, he thoght to make entirpryse, whe? as he wold doo fetys of armys. And so he made his ordenaunce, and made to fetche a dwarfe and array d hym wele in a goone of sylke and betoke hym a yoman and a hors and a lettre wretyn in this wyse : —
10 "The blake knyght wyth armes whyte gyves knoleche to the best knyghtes of euery centre, that they shall fynde by the Welle of Aventures in the forest of Breselyne a paveloune blake with armes whyte all the tuysdays of the ye?, and at the houre of prime ; and the? they shall fynde
15 (a tree) whervpon his shelde shal be honge; and the? shal be an home that a dwarfe schall bloo ; and when the home blooys, the? shall come oute ane old damesell and bryng a oercle of golde ; and an hermyte with hi?, the which shall say to theym what they shall doo and shall bryng theym into a
20 medow, whe? they shall fynde the blak knyght arrayd at all pecys, the whiche wolle iuste a course with a spe? and aftre that smyte with a swerd trenchand witAoute any poynte1 to the vtterance. And he that he conquerys shall aske of all the knyghtys in verray certayne, who be the most fai? beholde in
25 the roialtne of Litle Bretayn among all the ladies and gentyl- women, and to hi? he shal yelde hym pn'sone? ; and she to doo hi? wyll with hym, in the name of the blake knyght soroyng beryng armes white. And it is to wytt that all thos that has iusted with [hym] 2 shall graunte to come the Whys-
30 sontyde nexte aftre into the forest to a fest that shall be holden the?. And he that has the best iustyd, shall haue the spe? and gofanoun and a cercle of golde full of margarites; and he that has3 smyten the moste hardy with a swerd, shall haue a swerd harnyshed, with gold frenged. And if it happen that any
35 conque? the blak knyght, he may send hym to prison to what lady or gentylwoman that hym lykes."
1 MS. poynte wantyng. R, le quel [cheualier'} . . . . se combatra de lespee trenchant sans pyinte iusques a ovltrance. 1 B, qui auront iouste a lui. 3 MS. has the.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
41
T
When Ponthus had taken thes lettres to the dwarfe, he com- maunded hym to goo thorowe all the contres of Fraunce whe? as festes and iustys we? holden and to yeve theym knolege of the dooyng.
5 [Cap. XVI. How there come of euery londe knyghtes to do dedes of armes with the Blak Knyght; and how they were chosen by the smytyng of theyr sheldes. How Ponthus iustyd with Barnard de La Roche the first tuysday of the yere, and sent him prisonner to the faire 10 Sydone.]
dwarfe, that was wele spoken, wente thorow oute all the centre and gave to all men knolege of the assem- bely. So they mervelled myche of what centre the knyght was that wold doo thes entrepryses, and that he did chese the
15 beste knyghtes of euery contrey. Mony arrayd theym to goo thedre and said that grete worship shuld be vnto hym that myght haue the swerd and the spe?, and myche more vnto hym that myght conque? the knyght. It was not long bot of Bretane and of othre contres the? come en[o]we.
20 Ponthus had his menne sworne to hym, both the prioure
and the covent and the hermyte, that they shuld not dyscouer
hym to noo body. And so he did sende to Reyns, that befor
[*Fol. 176.] was called the rede toune, to feche * that hym neded. He
sent to seke an olde damesell that shuld be his secrete,
25 and she suld haue hi? (cote) and mantyll of sylke and a circle of golde vpon hire gray hede and a kerchyf befor hi? vysage, be cause that noman suld know hi?. And Pon- thus was in the array of an hermyte with hede and berde white wit A a vyssou? befor his face, and held in his honde
30 the ordinaunce.
It happenyd that the same thuysday in the morow the? come mony knyghtes for to doo fetys of armys with the blak knyght. So they we? at the Well of Mervells — sum called it the welle of Bellacion. So they sawe a fai? tente bente and a
42 F. J. MATHER, JE.
grete pavellon. It tarryed not long hot a dwarfe come oute of the pavellon, a full lothly on to se, and come to a grete tree, whe? as hynged an home and the blak sheld with whyte armys ; and the dwarf toke the home and blew it on hight ; 5 and when he had doon so, then come the damesell oute of the pavylloune and the hermyte, that held hi? by the gylten reyne, and they come streght to the sheld & made the dwarfe to crye that euery knyght that wold doo fetys of armes with the blake knyght shuld hyng his sheld vpon the grete tre, the whiche
10 was sett a boute with sperys and smetyn full of crochetys, that euery man myght hyng his sheld vppon ; and so euery man that was the? did hyng vpp thei? sheld. And when the sheldes we? hynged vpp, the dwarfe said to the damesell, " I muste say to you that the ordenaunce is, that ye shall doo
18 chese among all the sheldes iiij sheldys by the advice of the hermyte, to the whiche ye shall shote, to eueryche ane arowe fethered with golde; and hym that ye smyte the furste shal goo arme hym for the furst tuysday; and that sheld that she smytes with the secunde arowe shall be redy ayenyst the
20 secunde tuysday ; and that she smytes with the thirde arowe shall be redy the thyrd tuysday; and that she smytys with the fovrt arowe shall be redy the fovrt tuysday." And so was it doon euery moneth of the ye?, so the? shuld be • lij • knyghtes delyuered in the ye?, of the best and of the worthiest
25 that she couth chese by his advyce ; and this dured all the ye? vnto1 the tyme that he myght fynde oon that by fetys of armys myght ouercome hym.
And when the dwarfe had thus said, he entred into the pavellon on hors bak and broght a fei? Turquys boude2 and
30 fou? arowes fethered with gold ; and the damesell and the
[Fol. 2.] l Douce Fragment B. — the tyme that he couth fynde hym that by fete of armes ouer come hym. And whan the dwarffe had )>us sayd he enteryd in to the pavelyon on hors bak and he brought forth a feyr Turkes bowe. And four aroos feddaryd with gold. And the damysell and J>8 hermyte * Bowe is the obvious emendation following K & W, but the spelling is likely enough to be the scribe's.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIJDONE.- 43
hermyte went aboute the tree to se the sheldys ; and the her- mite councelled the damesell and tolde hi? the whiche that she shuld smyte. So sche schote the fou? arowes and smote fou? sheldes : the furst was Bernardes de La Roche, that was 5 holde the best knyght in Bretane ; the secunde was Geffray de Lazynyen, for the beste of Peytou ; the thyrd was Landry de La Toure, for the best of Angevynnes; the fourte was the Erie of Morteyn, for the best of Normarmes.
And when she hade shote, the hermite led hi? into the gret
10 tente that was blake with arrays white; and anoon he lyght doune and armyd him at all pecys and suyd oute of the tente, the shelde on his nek,1 the spe? in his honde, vpon a gret blak hors trapped in blake with armes white, and richely arrayed. The knyght was grete and large, and was sore drede and
15 myche loked on — mervellyng myche what he schuld be — for the comon voice was that Ponthus was goon to the roialme of Poleyne and of Hungarye, forto enque? what was to doo the? beyonde ; wherfor noman thoght that it was he.
It was not long to Bernard de La Roche, the whiche hade <*~
20 the furst arowe in his shelde, come ryght noblely arrayd with
went about the tre to se the shyldes. And than the hermyte councellyd the damysell and told her which sheldys that she shuld smyte. And so she shot -the four aroos and smote the iiij sheldys. J>e first was Bernard de La Roche, that was holdyn the beste knyght of Bretayn The second was >an 5 Geffrey de Lazinyne for the best of Paytaye. The third was Landry de La Tour, for the best of Angeowns The iiijth was the Erie of Mortayn for the beste of Normandye And whan she had shott the hermyte led her in to the gret tent that was blak with white armes. And he alightyd down and armed hym at all perys And anon he com forth of \& tent with a sheld on his bak 10 and a spere in his bond with a gret blak hors trappyd with blak and white armes and richely arayed. The knyjt was gret and large and was sore drad and gretly lokyd on. And the people mervelyng moche what that he shuld [be], for the comon voyse was that Ponthus was gone into the realme of Polayn and of Hongrye for to enquere what was to do there by yond. where 15 fore that no man thought that it was he. Hyt was not long that Barnard de La Roche which had the first aroo in his sheld come right nobely armed [*Fol. 2b.] with gret foyson of* harnesse and with trumpettys. symphonyes and oj*r 1 R, Lescu au col. The reading of the Douce Fragment, bak, is clearly wrong.
44 P, J. MATHER, JR.
grete foyson of horny s,1 trumppys, symphony?, and othre myn- [*Fol.l76b.] strelces,2 whiche made grete noys.*
The blak knyght toke a copp of gold and putt itt into the well and wett the ston that stode beside the well ; and the wate? 5 spred aboute vpon the ston ; and then it began to thonne? and hale3 and made strong wedre4 — savyng itt lasted bot awhyle. So the straungers mervelled myche of the mervells of the well ; and euery day the ston was wett befor that they faght.
Aftre that, he lepe vpon hors, with his helmete, and toke his
10 spe? in honde and smot his hors with his spurrys and come
toward Barnard, and Barnard toward hym agayne ward. And
so they gave grete strokes with thei? sperys in suche wyse that
they perched5 both theyr scheldes, and come agane and smote
to gedre in suche wyse that Barnard and his hors fell. Bot
15 Barnard keped 6 hym vpon his foote and lyghtly lepe oute of
the sadle. And when the blak knyght sawe him vpon his fote,
he lyght doune and come rynnyng vpon hym with his bryght
swerd and gave hym grete strokes whe? as he myght areche
instrumentys which made gret noyse The blak knygt toke a cupp of gold and put yt in the well and wet the stone and the watre spred aboute. And than yt be gan to thundre and to hayre (sic) and made straunge weder save yt lastyd but awhile. So the straungers mervelyd of the mervelles of the well. 5 And euery day the stone was wet be fore they faught. After he lepe vppon his hors with his helmet and his spere. And stroke his hors with his spurres toward Bernard [and Bernard] to hym. So they gave gret strokys with her sperys vnder suche a wyse that they partyd theyr sheldys in sondre that Barnard and hys hors fell down. But Bernard lepyd vpon his fete. And 10 when that Ponthus saw hym on fote he alight on fote. and come rennyng vppon hym with his sword and gaue hym gret strokys afore that they brake
1 R, a grant foison de cors. Harnesse in the Douce Fragment is obviously a corruption.
8 Not in R. or W.
8 R, greater. I do not understand the hayre of the Douce Fragment.
4 R, fort temps.
5 R, percerent IKS escws. The partyd . ... in sondre of Douce is apparently due to mistaking a c for a t. The word in the scribe's original was probably contracted as in our text.
6R, sailli sur piez would make the lepyd of the Douce Fragment appear the original reading. The clause and lyghtly lepe oute of the sadle is neither in W, R, nor Douce ; therefore a scribal amplification.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 45
hym. And Barnard defended hym with all his myght ; and Ponthus smote so grete strokes and sore that he brake all that he raght, and gave hym suche a stroke that he smote doune the vyssoure of his helmete and all the cyrcle, and hurtt hym
5 a litle in the vysage. And Barnard left vp his swerd and smote Ponthus, bot Ponthus putt itt sum what by, and the stroke lyght vpon the sheld so sore that he hade gret payne to pluk itt oute. And Ponthus drew to hym his swerd with so grete myght that the swerd abowed in sundre;1 and as son as Barnard sawe
10 that he was with oute swerd, he made grete sorowe. And then Ponthus said to hym, " Knyght itt is tyme that ye be goo to oon of the fayrest of this roialme— damecell and madyn." And Barnard spake noo worde to hym, as he that was angre and wrothe. And Ponthus said to hym, " Gode defende that
15 I shuld stryke you when ye2 haue not wherwith to defende you." Then Barnard come and wenyd to haue taken hym with his hondes. And Ponthus that was grete and strong avaunced hym and smote hym on the helme and drewe hym to hym so myghtely that he made hym fall to the grounde,
20 whethi? he wold or not ; and putt hym vndre hym and said, " Knyght I wolle lete you goo to hi? pn'son, that be ryght fay?; and grete hi? wele in the blak knyght name." And so he withdrewe hym.
And Barnard sawe the benygnyte of the knyght, and prased
25 hym myche, and rosse vp and come to the knyghtes that beheld
all that they raught and gaue hym suche a stroke that he brake down his visare of his helmet and the sercle and hurt hym a litull in the vesage. And Bernard lyfte vp his sword and smote Ponthus and Ponthus put up his sheld afore hym that the sword stake in the sheld with so gret myght that 5 the sword abode. And whan Bernard saw that he was with out a sword he made gret sorow And than Ponthus sayd to hym Knyght yt is tyme that ye go to the mercy of J>« feyrest damysell and mayden of the realme and Barnard spake no word to hym ageyne as ...
1 R, Pontus . . . tire a soy lescu de grant force, tant que le branc sen vini avee lescu. Douce has apparently omitted and Ponthus drewe to hym hit swerd after sheld. But the reading abowed in sundre, " broke," is a corruption of the abode of Douce.
* y written over an h.
46 F. J. MATHER, JR.
the batell and said, "Fay? Lordes, I haue fonde my maystre.
Sith I was borne, fonde I neuer so myghty knyght ne so cur-
tesse. Now the? is no more bot I wold witt of you, in goode
feith, whiche be called the fayrest madyn of this reaume."
5 So they sayd itt was the kynges doghtre Sydone, and she had
the voce of theym all. So he departed and went vnto Vennys.
So leve we a litle of Barnard de Lay Roche and retourne to
Ponthus.
[Cap. XVII. How aftre the batell Ponthus rode his way 10 prively into the forest.]
P(
lOnthus lepe on hors bak and entred into the forest, ryd- yng by ways certan that he knewe wele, in suche wyse that noo man wyst whe? he become. And so he come at resonable houre to the same place whe? he was before and 15 entred in and shytte the doe? vpon hym and lyght doune and did vnharme hym ; and the damesell, the dwarfe, and othre [*Fol. 177.] with vyssers abode in the tentys * vnto the nyght ; and then went they? way, when all men was withdrawn.
So leve we to speke of theym and retourne to Bernard de 20 La Roche and to Sydone &c.
[Cap. XVIII. How Barnard de La Roche yelded hym prisonner to the fair Sydone, and of the grete chere that she made hym.]
Sydon was day and nyght in sorowe and mysease, when that Ellyous hi? damesell had told hi? that Ponthus wold goo awhyle oute of (that) centre. She thoght that it was for the evyll chere that she made hym ; so she marvellously repenyd hi? and cryed oftyn tymes, " Alias wreche ! Now haue I lost by my gret folye all my wordly ioy. Blame haue 30 they that first broght me that worde, for I knowe wele and se wele, that and it we? not for the grete fere that he has by cause I was wrothe with hym, he had not lefte the contre ;
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 47
and sothely that was grete foly of me, for I doute not hot that he is of a 1 trewe hertt as any ly vyng. " Then she wept and sorowed in he? hertt, for she dred to haue loste hym. And so she sorowed day and nyght.
5 Grete languege was the? of Ponthus in the contrey. The kyng myght not be in peace in no wyse, which gretly wey- mented ; and so did his cosyn german and his fellawes ; and all maner of people, grete and small, of the courte we? sory.
10 And son Barnard come to the courte and asked aftre fay? Sydon and said that he was hi? prisonne?. The kyng sent for hi? ; and she come with a grete felysshipp of ladyes and gentylwommen ; and the? assemelyd all maner of people to here Barnard de La Roche. And whew he was comyn into
15 the hall, he kncled doune and said vnto Sydon on hyghe, that euery persone myght here, " Ma dame," said he, " vnto you sendes me the blak knyght with armes white, whiche has me conqueryd by his worthenes in dedys of armes, and said to me that I shuld yelde me prisonne? to the fairest madyn of this
20 reaume so I haue enquered of all knyghtes and squyers that the? we?, whiche was the fairest madyn ; and they said all with oon voice that it was ye ; and thus I yelde me vnto you? prisoune as your knyght, and doo with me as ye wolle. And yitt he badde me that I shuld recommaund hym vnto you in
25 hys name."
Sydon waxed rede and was sumwhat asshamed by cause that they helde hi? for the fairest. "For sothe," said she, " God thonke theym, for they bot simpley avysed theym to chese me ; bot I thonke the knyght that sent you hidre, and
30 I beseche you to tell me what he is." " For soth," said he, "I knowe hym not." "How so?" said Sydon. "Madame," said he, " he wolle not be knowen — what he is, bot sothely he is the fairest knyght that euer I se and the best canii stryke with a spe? and with a sworde, and me semys he is a little
lThe emendation a[«] is tempting, but as any lyvyng probably means "as much as, etc."
48 F. J. MATHER, JR.
more1 than Ponthus, and myche lyke hym ; hot it is not he, for it is a comon sawe that he is goone into the reaume of Polleyne and of Hungary to a werre that ther is."
Enughe was itt spoken of the blak knyght, and how that 5 the next tuysday he shuld feght with Geffray de Lazynyen, and the next aftre folloying with Landry de La Toure, and the next tuysday aftre with (the) Erie of Morteyne.
The kyng and the ladys made grete che? to Barnard, and
they ete all with the kyng in the hall. Sydone iapyd with
10 Barnard de La Roche and said, "Ser, I haue grete ioy to
haue suche a pn'sonner, and so ye shuld haue grete drede what
[*Fol. 177b.] pmoun ye shall endure." And Barnard began to laghe * and
said, " Ma dame, and ye doo me noo sore? pn'sonmeut than
this, I shall endure itt more easly; and knowe ye wele that
15 or the ye? be passed, ye shall haue more largely of pnsonners,
for I shall not be alloone."
Aftre dynne? begane the dauncers 2 and the carralles. Bot Sydone daunsed bot a litle, and yitt she3 wold haue daunsed lesse bot for drede that any shuld perceyve hi? sorowe. 20 So leve we of theym and of the courte and retourne agayne to the secund tuysday.
[Cap. XIX. How on the secund tuysday Ponthus conquered Geffray de Lazynyen.]
The day was fai? and clere, and the knyght de Lazynyen, the which was a mervellous goode knyght, was armed at all peces and come before the well. And the blak knygth come oute of the pavyllone, the shelde on the nek and the spe? in the honde. And sone they lete they? horses renne, and smote to gedre, and gave grete strokes, so that they? 30 horses fell vpon theym, and in so myche that almuste they ouerthrewe theym self. The? they withdrewe theym a farrome and toke awthre of theym a grete, sharpe spe? and come to
1 R, ung pou plus grant. W, he is somewhat more than was Ponthus. * K, dauncers, though strange, is apparently right. Commencerent le dames a dancer mais Sidoine ne danca gueres. W, began the daunces and the karolles/ bot, etc. 3 MS. ye.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDOXE.
49
gedre as hastely as they myght, hors and man, and gave so mony grete strokes vpon thei? sheldes, that both the knyghtes fell and they? horses — so boustously that Geffray hors fell vpon his body, the hors hede vndre, so that the hors ne the
5 man myght remeve ; for he hade his thye and his legge vndre the hors and was gretly bressed. Bot Ponthus helped vp the hors and the knyght both, and hade had grete shame to haue ben so drawn doune; and so he beheld the knyght, that myght not drawe hym oute frome vndre his hors, for his foote was
10 oute of ioynte, that he myght not stonde bot on oon foote — bot allway he putt his honde toward his sword, as he that was of grete corage and hardenes. Bot when that he sawe that he myght not stonde bot on oon foet, so Ponthus thoght then that he wold not smyte hym; and said to hym, " Knyght, I
15 see you in the feblea? partie, wherfore it we? shame to assayle you." And Geffray said vnto hym, " I holde me not yit dis- comefeted, in so myche that I may holde my sworde." And so he payned hym to smyte Ponthus, and Ponthus leped by, and so he smote a stone with his goode swerd so fersly that he
20 fell doune to the grounde.
Bot Ponthus helped to releve hym and said to hym, "Ser, and ye we? hole, I wold rynne vpon you, for I se wele by you? worthenes ye wold not yelde you to me; bot ye shall yelde you to the fairest lady of Bretan, that wolle take you to
25 hi? mercy, and shall grete hi? wele for the blak knyght. So, I pray yow, lete vs doo noo more, for we haue donne enughe ; for I wote wele, and ye we? hole, ye wold not soffre me to be so hole as I am ; for I knowe you? worthynes long agoo." And when Geffray knewe the goodnes of hym, he praysed
30 hym in his hertt, and said to hym, "Ser, I wolle go thedre as ye commaunde me, and if I wyst that I shuld not dysplease you, I wold wytt you? name." And Ponthus answeryd, " Ye ne noon othre shall knowe itt yitt."
Then Geffray wold aske ne enque? noo more of hym, and so
35 toke leve of hym. Then the blak knyght went into the forest by his pathe ways, as he was wonte to doo.
50 F. J. MATHER, JR.
And so the knyghtes and the people mervelled myche vpon
the knyght when they sawe the batell, and said, ryght curtese
was the blak knyght and gentle ; and said iche of theym to
othre, " Sawe ye not the grete benignite — howe that he wold
5 not tovche the knyght, by cause he sawe hym hurte, and how
he had two tymes releved hym?" Wherfore they made grete
[*Fol. 178.] talkyng therof and * gave hym a grete lovyng.1
And Geffray de Lazynyen, that myght not wele meve hym ne styrre hym, said to Landry de La Tou?, " Fair frende, I 10 wolle abyde vnto the nexte tuysday, for to bere you cornpanye to se the fai? Sydon, bot if ye putt bettre remedy than I haue doon." Said Landry de La Tom*, " Of a venture of armys the? may noomara iuge, they be so mervellous ; and ye be noo thyng wars for this aventure, for this was by the fall of your 15 hors, for the whiche may nooman kepe hym ; and (I) thinke to haue noo shame, if I be suche a knyght as ye be founde in dedes of armys." And also they spake of Barnard de La Roche and of mony thinges.
And then they toke Geffray de Lazynyen in the softest wyse
20 that they myght and led hym to Mountford ; and the? he was
arrayd in suche wyse that he myght ryde vpon an hors-be?
the tuysday next followyng, whiche was a fai? day and a clere.
[Cap. XX. How the third Tuysday Ponthus conquered Landry de La Toure and sent hym prisonner to the 25 faire Sydone, and aftre, the Erie of Morteyn ; and so
euery Tuysday of the yere he sent a knyght of the best that was in the reaume. And of the grete feste that he made the Whissontyde at the yeres ende at the Welle of Mervelles.
30 A nd itt happed the same tuysday the? come of all contrees -£^- to se the batell. Then the blak knyght with armes white yssued oute of the pavyllone — he and his olde damesell
1 B, grant compte et grant loz. W, greete loos. See Bradley-Stratmann for lovyng, "laudation."
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 51
and his dwarfe, and on that other1 side come Landry de La Tou?. So they laid theyr sperys vndre thei? sides, with they? gonfaunons hyngyng, and with grete myght they stroke to gedre, withoute any faile ; and passed ouer, and come agayne 5 so myght[e]ly that they perched1 thei? sheldes, and brake thei? speres, and ranne to gedre with thei? swerdes, and gave grete strokes, whe? they myght, ofte and thyke. So they we? long tyme on hors bak. And then Ponthus dressed hym wele in his styrropes and smote Landry de La Toure with all his
10 strenght, that he was astoned ; and when Ponthus hade yeven hym that stroke, then he sawe hym gogle, and toke hym by the helmete and drewe with all his myght, and all astouned drewe hym doune to the grounde. Not withstondyng, he rosse vp as soue as he myght.
15 And when Ponthus sawe hym at the grounde, then said he to hym selfe that he wold not assayle hym oil hors bak, lesse it myght turne hym to shame and repreve ; bot then he lyght doune on foote and putt his shelde afore hym and toke his swerd in his honde and assay led hym. And Landry made
20 hym redy to defende hym in the best wyse that he myght, for he knewe wele that he hade not to doo with noo childe. Then Ponthus come and smote hym a grete stroke so that the stroke fell upon the scheld and stroke doune and quarte?;2 and Landry smote hyra with grete strokes, whe? he myght areche
25 hym, and mervelled myche howe Ponthus myght endure agane hym so longe, for he was a mervellous goode knyght. Bot Ponthus gave hym ofte so grete strokes that wit h grete payne he myght vnneth drawe his brethe, ne Ponthus navthe?. And they rested theym a litle while on they? swerdes.
30 Then spake Landry and said, " Gentle Knyght, I wote not what ye be, bot so myche may I say, that I wenyd not in the
1 R, percerent.
* R, Pontus fieri moult grant coup et le branc descend en lescu si que il en abai ung quarlitr. W translates literally. Our translator appears to understand a quartering blow, possibly from another reading, or perhaps we should read a for and.
52 F, J. MATHER, JR.
mornyng to haue founde so myche strenght and valu? in you as I haue prevyd ; hot or ye ouercome me, ye muste doo moo dedes of armes then ye haue doon." " Yea," said Ponthus, " avthe? shal ye yelde you to the fairest made of Bretane, or 5 elles ye must ouercome me with dedes of arrays."
And then he lyfte vp his sworde and smote Landry, as he that had grete shame that he endured hym so longe, and he stroke hym in suche wyse that the bloode ranne doune to his fete. And when Landry felyd that he was so smyten, he
10 gave Ponthus so grete a stroke vpon the temple of the hede
[*Fol. 178b.] that the helmete * was gretly enpared. Then turned Ponthus
the sheld and toke the swerd in bothe his hondes and smote
so grete a stroke that Landry was all astoned. Bot that was
no mervell, for to long hade that batell endured betwen theym.
15 And so he smote sore, stroke vpon stroke, that he was almost dysmated with the grete plente of strokes that he hade taken and gy ven ; and he hasted more and more when he sawe a litle gogyllyng,1 and then he come and smote hym with all his tnyght in suche wyse that he bett hym to the grounde —
20 and fell bothe two. Bot Ponthus fell aboue, and Landry myght not ryse ne helpe hym selfe.
And Ponthus said to hym, " Knyght, yelde you." And Landry spake noo worde and endured with grete payne, and as he that was lothe forto yelde hym. And he that was full
25 of curtesey said, " Knyght, yelde you to the fai? damesell, I pray you, — and that the? be no more debate betwen vs, for we haue assayd authre othre enughe." Then knewe Landry the curtesy of the knyght that he faght with and said to hym, " To hi? wolle I yelde me, sithe itt lykes you." " Itt is suffi-
30 ciaunt to me," said Ponthus.
Then he rose full sore and full wery of the strokes and travell that he hade gyven and taken of the grete batell that so long hade endured. So come Ponthus to his hors with grete payne, and lepe vp, and rode faste into the forest, so that he
35 was fro the syght of theym all auoon.
1 R, et quant il vit ung pou chanceler si le boute. W, sawe hym staker.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 53
And Geffray de Lazynyen and mony othre knyghtes come to Landry de Lay Tou? and asked hym ho we he dyde ; and he said, well — afire the evyll that he hade founden his maistre. Then said Geffray to Landry, " I shall bere you companye, 5 for ye and (I),1 we wolle goo to gedre to the fai? Sydone." " I wolle wele," said Landry, " for itt is no reason that ye goo thedre withoute me." Thus they bourded oon to an othe?. And then he was vnarmed and had mony woundes, bot he had noon bot that he myght ryde.
10 And so they went and yelded theym to Sydon. And the kyng made theym gret che? and did theym grete worschipp, as for the best knyghtes that myght be founde in any contrey, of nobylley of knyghthode. And sone aftre they went to Sydone and putt theym in hi? mercy. And she, that was full
15 of curtesey and of wysdome, receyved theym with grete ioy and fested theym and worschipped theym and gave theym grete gyftes. So they thonked hi?, and said that they were wele prisoned, for itt was noo grete payne for to endure itt. " Serys," said she, " I wot not what the knyght is that has
20 sent you hidre — for ye and he doos me grete honour withoute cause; for ther be more fayrer and more avenaunt in this reaume than I be, who so wolle seke theyme." " Wele Ma dame," said they, " we owe to beleve the comon voice, for all has cosen you for the fayrest." And thus they bourded of
25 mony thynges. The? they we? twoo days with the kyng, and all the othre days wyth Sydon.
And aftre she gave theym leve to goo, and then they went furth to se the batell of the Erie Morteyn, that was a full goode knyght.
30 Son aftre issued oute the damesell and the dwarfe, and had his Turquis bowe in his honde and the arowes. And the heremyte with the vysou?, that lede the damesell aboute by the gylten reyne, made signe whiche schelde sche schuld smyte, [*Fol. 179.] as * for the next moneth folowyng. The damesell shote fyrste
1 R, nous yrons vous ei moy ensemble. W, we shall go you & I togyder.
54 F. J. MATHER, JR.
the sheld of Ser Tybould de Boloys that was named a wele goode knyght; and that othre was the shelde of Guyllen de Roches; the third was the shelde of Henry de Mounte Morency ; and the fourthe shelde was the sheld of Rosylyon.1 5 Thes was iiij knyghtes of grete name of knyghthod, whoes scheldes we? hongen vp for the next iourney. And when she hade shote hi? fou? arowes, she withdrewe hi? into the pavyllon.
And sou aftre the blak knyght issued oute of the pa vyl lone
10 armed att all peces, the shelde in the nek, the spe? in his honde. -In that othi? side come the Erie of Morteyne full rychely arrayd, with a grete multitude of mynstrells. And as son as they sawe aythre othre, they ranne to gedre with they? sperys, and gave authre othre grete strokes. Bot Pon-
15 thus reuersed the Erie, that he lakked hot a litle that he was doune. Then they putt thei? hondes to they? swerdes and ranne to gedre full fersly. Bot Ponthus smote so grete a stroke that his sworde cutted that he smote; and the Erie defended hym at his powe?. So the batell dured longe. Bot
20 Ponthus that was mervellous2 toke hym by the helme, and drewe to hyrn so myghtely that he pulled hym doune to the grounde, and yeave hym a grete stroke with his sworde, and said to hym that he suld yelde hym — for he smote hym bot with the flatt of the sworde. And the Erie endured myche,
25 bot at the last he must nedes yeld hym, whedre he wold or noo.
And thus he commaunded hym to yelde hym vnto the fairest ladye and madyn in Bretan ; and so he departed and went into the forest as he was accostomed to doo.
30 And the Erie went and yelded hym vnto Sydone as the othre knyghtes had doone. And the? she dide hym grete worschip ; and so did the kyng hi? fadre.
1 MS. -Rosy lyon.
* R, qui grant et fort estoit a merueilles. W, which was grete and strong toke. It is a temptation to throw in the grete and strong of W, after mervellous, but mervellous is often used independently in our text.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 55
The nexte tuysday they faght agane ; and so they did the next folowyng, to the monethe come to an ende. Bot itt we? to long to tell the batells and the iourneys that he dide — and that othe? parties also; for the? were mony grete batells 5 and mony sharpe stowres of armes whiche we? to longe to tell, who wold all devyse. Bot all we? ouercomen by his dedes of armes and we? sent to pnsoune to the fai? lady Sydone.
So was the? founde in the yee? .lij. knyghtes pHsonners, of
10 the best that they knewe or myght fynde in any londe, to wynn or conqne? worschipp ; for euery of the beste knyghtes that herd therof went to assay hym ; and then he chase of the beste knyghtes to doo dedys of armes with hym, and eueryche hade desi? to be of the nombre to assay theym -with
15 hym, in so myche that the high renowne ranne thorowe oute Fraunce and by mony othre reaumes and contreys. And Ponthus chase euer by reportyng the best, and faght neuer bot with oon of a contrey, whiche was holden for the beste ; — forto make hym to be known, that if the? we? any man that
20 wold requi? hym to doo any thyng for his lady sake, that he wold be redy alwey to delyuer hym. And the? was of the .lij. knyghtes propre names — that is to say : the Duke of Ave- renses, the Duke of Loreyne ; the Duke of Barry ; the Erie of Mount Bernard,1 the Erie of Mountford, and mony othre
25 erles and dukes ; and Ser William de Baniers, Ser Arnold de
Hennolte, the Erie of Savye, and mony othre knyghtes ; and
of they? names I passe ouer at this tyme and goo to my mate?
agayne.
[*Fol.l79b.] When * itt befell that Wyttsonday was comen at the yeres
30 ende — that2 all pn'sonners come to yelde theym, the? as itt was ordayned, Ponthus lete make a grete hall couered with grene boghes, by the Welle of Mervelles, othe? wyse called
1 MS. Mountbernard.
* The same ellipsis is in W and R. R, tant qu.il aduint que la penthtcoste vint .... que tous les prisonnicrs vindrent.
56 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Bellacon, and sent for all maner of vitelles and dyuers wynes, and wrote to the kyng a \ettre, sayng thus : —
"To the goode kyng of Bretane the Blak Knyght with armys white recommaundes hym with all his seruice and 5 honoitr. And prays hym mekely, that itt may pleasse hym to be at this feste of Wytsontyde in the forest of Breselyne at the Welle of Mervelles, with the companye of the fairest ladys and dameselles of Bretane, to knowe to whome the pris shall be yeven and to enqui? who has best iusted and who that has
10 the beste and the myghtest foghten of thes .lij. knyghtes of euery tuysday in the ye?."
And when the kyng had red the lettre, he had grete ioy therat ; and said that grete worshipp did hym the blak knyght and that he wold be the?.
15 And then he sent for his doghtre and tolde hi? thes tyth- ynges and charged hi? to enqui? of the fairest ladies and gentylwommen of his reaume to come with hi? at the feste of Wytsontyd ; — " and fai? doghtre," said the kyng, " ye aghte forto doo itt, for he has doon you myche worship ; for by his
20 swerd he has sent to you? pnsoune so mony goode knyghtes and lordes, wherof grete worschip is comen to you and to youres and to all ou? reaume ; wherfore I am myche beholden to the blak knyght." Fai? Sydone kneled doune and said, sith it liked hym, so sche wold doo his commaundement.
25 And then she lete write to the grete ladyes of Bretayne, that they schuld be redy on the Wytsontyd even, and that they shuld bryng with theym the fayrest ladys and gentyl- women that they myght fynde in they? contrey. The ladys at hi? commcmndement hade grete ioy and arrayd theym and
30 come at the day. The? was ryght grete assembley that come
at the Wytsontyd to the Welle of Mervelles. So they broght
with theym tentes and pavyllones, and dide hyng theym and
pyght theym aboute, in suche wyse that it semed a grete oste.
Ponthus furth before the kyng come ryght sone — and had
35 sent xiij govnes of a suyte to his xiij fellawes, and oon to Herland the senysshall, and had sent to fetche theym the day before. It is noo demaunde to aske if that his cosyn
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 57
germane and his fella wes had grete ioy of the worschipp that God had yeven to hym. They went aganes the kyng. And when the kyng sawe and knewe that it was Ponthus that so mony fetys of armes hade done, it is noo questyon hot he made 5 grete ioy. And at the feste and worshipp that he dyde hym, he myght not forbe? bot that he called hym, & kyssed hym, and said, " Whe? haue ye ben so longe hyd frome vs. It was said that ye we? in Poleyne and Hungary in the werre ; bot in travthe myn hertt said ener that itt was ye that so mony
10 mervelles did." Ponthus waxed rede and said noo worde, for he was sory that the kyng prased hym so myche.
Therfore he went his way aganes Sydone — grete was the company with hi? of ladys and of gentyllwommen l —
And
15 salewed her mekely | & she yelded him agayne his salu tacyon | as she that had all loye y herte myght thyn- ke | & than she sayd vnto hy smylynge O Ponthus ye haue hyd you loge tyme fro vs in this forest I dou- te me y ye be become an ermyte & wylde. A madame
20 Pon. G. iiij.
[*] sayd he satie your grace I am easy to tame. And than he departed frome her as he that was all taken in the loue of his lady that of loge tyme he had not sene her And than he wente too se the ladyes the whiche were
25 all dysguysed with grene bowes & garlondes | and he sayd vnto them. My ladyes I praye god that eche of you haue that y your hertes desyre | for in good fayth it is a good syght to se soo fayre a company. The lady
1 The Digby MS. has an omission corresponding to about a page and a third (MS.) of text at this point, though the MS. shows no break of any sort between (jentyllwommen and And furlh (p. 60, 1. 14). It is highly im- probable that we have to do with deliberate condensation — far more likely that the scribe copied from a smaller MS. that had lost a leaf. F has two chapter divisions in this space which might have been marked by miniatures in a MS. of its class, thus suggesting a motive for the mutilation of the MS. before the scribe of Digby. I have filled the gap with the corresponding portion of W, printed diplomatically. The French MSS. R, H, and F con- tain all this matter.
58 F. J. MATHER, JR.
es yelded hym his salutacyon | the whiche were full of loye for to se hym for they loued hym meruayllously well aboue all knyghtes. And the one sayd to another It is Ponthus the good and fayre knyghte thanked 5 be god of the grete worshyp that he hathe sente hym and I praye god that he wyll kepe hym vs as the best knight of the worlde | and this was there speche ferre and nere. So they arryued at the fountayne bothe y kynge and the ladyes | with grete loye. And on that
10 other syde came the knyghtes straungers. The kyn- ge and the ladyes made them grete loye. And there was grete sowne and noyse of dyuers maners of my- stralsy so that all the wode ronge of it. And the kynge and ponthus dyd grete worshyp to the dukes and lor-
15 des | as to the duke of Ostrytche of Lorayne & of ba- ar | & to the erle of dampmartyn of Sauoye of niout- belyart & to other dyuers grete lordes. So they wente and herde masse that the bysshop of Rennz sange | af- ter that they came to the halle. And the kynge | the du-
20 kes and Sydoyne were sette at the hygh dese j and af ter euery man after as he was. Greate was the feest and grete was the hall | and on the syde were hanged the .lii. sheldes of the knyghtes conquered. Ryght stra unge and fayre thynges were made bytwene the cour-
25 [*] ses as armed chyldren that fought togyder | & dyuers other thynges | and syxe olde knyghtes | and syxe olde squyers | some bare the spere & the gouffanon blacke with the whyte teeres of grete margaretes & oryente perles | & a ryche cercle of golde meruayllously wrou-
30 ght of ryche perles and of good stones. The other ba- re the ryche swerde with the pomel of golde | And the gyrdell of sylke wrought with golde & grete margare- tes and perles | & with precyous stones that it was a fayre syght to se. And this rychesse had ponthus won
35 in the shyp of the Soudans sone. So he sayd hymself that he myght no better beset them than afore so ma-
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 59
ny notable prynces and grete lordes | for he shewed all his dedes ryght honourably. The knyghtes and y la- dyes wente aboute the halle syngynge as though they wyste not to whome they sholde presente them. And 5 than they came before the lorde de Lesygnen and pre- sented hym the spere and the ffouffanon (sic) and the ryche cercle of golde y whiche they set vpon his hede | for y beste luster. And after they came to Androwe de la toure and presented hym the ryche swerde and the ry-
10 che crowne set vpon his heed | whyther he wolde or no for he excused hymselfe moche & wende to haue refu- sed it saynge that they dyde hym worshyp that he had not deserued and that there were dyuerse other that had better wonne it than he had and he wexed rede &
15 was ashamed | but Ponthus hadde so ordeyned it for he sayd in good fayth that he had yeuen hym moost a do as fore one daye. Also Geffrey hadde ryght wel lus ted. Than beganne myristrelles for to playe of all ma ner of mynstrelsy and also the herauldes began to cry
20 that men sholde not haue herde thoudrynge \ for al ro- [*] ge bothe wood and forest of the noyse. There was gy uen many dyuerse meases and good wynes and also grete yeftes vnto heraudes and mynstrelles. Ponth7 came behynde the kynge and sayd to hym in his ere.
25 Syr & it please you we shall do crye the lustes ayenst to morowe | and on tewesdaye at Vennes bycause y ye sholde knowe these prynces | and these dukes | for it shall be your worshyppe. A sayd y kyge in good fayth it is a good and a trewe counseyll and I praye you
30 that it be done. Than Ponthus called an heraude and made hym to crye that the whyte knyght with the re- de rode (sic, rose) shall be this mondaye and tewesdaye in y cy- te of Vennes with fyue felowes and hymselfe shall make the syxte for to withstande all maner of knygh-
35 tes with speres. And he that shall haue the pryce on y mondaye without forth (sic) shall haue the gyrdell and the
60 F. J. MATHER, JR.
gypsere of y fayrest of the feest. And he that dooth best on the tewesdaye shall haue the sparohawke mewed with the loynes of perles and margarytes [ and a cha pelet that the fayrest of the feest shall gyve hym. And 5 he of the ynner partye that shall luste best shall haue a rynge of the fayrest.
*|[ How Ponthus made a lustes to be cryed in the cy- te of Vennes and how he smote downe the strongest that he recountred.
10 /~\N y morowe after they departed by tymes | & V— / wente and herde masse at saynt peters of Ven- nes | and than they wente and dyned | and after dyner the kynge & the ladyes wente to the schalfoldes.
xAnd furth with come Ponthus and his v fellawes whiche was
15 named, Barnard de La Roche, the Vicount of Lyon, the Vicount of Daunges, Pollides,2 and Herland. And Ponthus was all in whyte bothe [he] and his hors, with a grete rede rose whiche signified his lady. The iustys we? grete and the dedes of armes, bot aboue all othre Ponthus iusted beste, for
20 he threwe doune hors and man and did so mervellously that
euery man doubted to countre hym. Also he putt his hertt
and his wyll to gedre for his lady sake that was before hym.
[*Fol. 180.] * Grete and litle prased hym myche. And then spake the
ladys and said, " See ye hym the? that berys all doune before
25 hym ? He is not wyse that comes aganes hym. His spe? spares noon, bot itt hurtes and makes theym to fall." Sydone, that herde the ladys prays hym, said noo worde, and she loked that noo man perceved the gladnes of hi? ne the ioy that she hade in hi? hertt.
30 Right wele iusted the Duke of Averences, and the Duke of Loreyne, and the Erie of Savye, the Erie of Mount Belliart, and mony othre. It we? to long to tell of the goode iusters
1 MS. Digby resumes. * MS. Polleyne. R, policies. W, Polydes.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 61
that iusted the moneday and the tuysday. And they we? wele fested the tuysday at mete and at sope?. The pris of monday was yeven to the Erie of Mounte Belliart. He hade the gyrdle and the gypse? of Sydone — for she was chosen for the fairest.
5 The price of the tuysday was yeven to the Duke of Averences. And he hade the sparhawke with the ryche loynes and the chaplete, of Sydone. Bot not withstondyng, Ponthus iusted the best; and wold take noon of the prices, in so myche that he ordaned theym. Bot the ladys sent to hym a
10 ryng with a rubye, for the most worschipfull knyght that was of theym all ; also they sent to Barnard de La Roche a riche gowe?.1
Then heroudes and mynstrelles made grete ioy and grete noyse. And aftre sope? they hade carralles, daunces, and
15 songys to mydnyght. And aftre they dranke and ete spyces. And aftre the straungers toke they? leve of the kyng and of Sydone and of [the] othre ladys, and departed.
The wedynsday erely aftre messe Ponthus convehed theym2 to Castellyon,3 whe? he hade lete ordayne they? dynne? ; and
20 aftre dynne? wold haue convehed theym — bot the lordes wold not soffre hym. So he offred hym myche to theym, and toke leve eueryche of othre. Gretely prased bothe the grete and the small the goode che? and fellyschipp of Pouthus — and that4 they trowed that he was the beste, the fairest, the most
25 curtes, and the most gracius knyght of the worlde, to they? intente, and that he hade noo fellawe. And also they prased gretly Sydone of hi? beautie and of hi? curtesy — and that 5 he were ryght fortunate that myght haue hi?.
1 The word is doubtful, but has clearly something to do with M. E. gorgere. O. F. gorgiere. E,/ermat7. W, ouche.
'• MS. hym. W, them.
s R, a chasteau guyon. W, to y* castell of gyron.
4An elliptical construction like that in W, prasyed . . Ponthus .... and that trewly he was— but cf. R, Et disoient irayement cest le meilltur chevalier.
6 Both W & R show the ellipsis : praysed .... Sydone .... and that he that sholde haue her sholde be well eurous, louaient S. . . . et que bien seroit eureux qui.
62 F. J. MATHER, JR.
[Cap. XXI. How Sydone made grete ioy that she sawe agane Ponthus. And how Guenelete, that had grete envy at his maistre, accused Ponthus to the kyng, that he loved Sydone to hi? dishonur.]
5 I )Onthus turned agane to the kyng and to the ladys. And
the knyghtes of Bretane toke leve of the kyng and of
his doghtre. So the kyng and his doghtre come huntyng1
and playog by the way. So on a tyme spake -Sydon and
Ponthus to gedre. Then said Sydon, " Long tyme haue ye
10 keped you frome vs full secrete, and we gretly mervelled that we herde no thyng frome you." " Ma dame," said he, " I sent you euery woke a knyght in stede of a messynger." " Ye say sothe, my swete loue. Ye sent the moste noble messyn- gers that myght be founden. Notwithstondyng, it wold haue
15 doone me more goode to haue knowen who hade sent theym to me, for euery body said that ye we? goon into Hungarye ; so I was gretly amervelled that ye gave noon othre knowleche of you? gooyng. Wherfore myn hertt was full hevy." "Ay, Madame," said he, "I was full nyghe you and so was myn
20 hertt and thoght. And all that I did, I thoght to doo itt for you? honou? and to encresse you? goode renoune, for I wyst wele that ye shuld be chosen for the fairest in Bretane. So I haue doone so myche, that the best knyghtes that myght be founden or knawen come forto see you and to putt theym in
25 you? mercy. Bot in goode faithe Madame, it was not I, that
dide the aventures of armes, bot it was ye ; wherof I thonke
you? goode ladyshipp— for the myght and the hardenes that
I haue, I haue itt of you, for of my selfe I couthe not vndre-
[*Fol. 180b ] ^a^e *tt." " Ponthus," said she, " I knowe wele that this
30 goodnes and worshipp comes to you * frome Gode and frome noon othe?. The cause is that ye loue God and dredys hym,
1 Huntyng is strange, but I have no reasonable emendation. E, Et le roy sen vint esbatant, lui et safille vers susinio. W, came syngynge & sporlynge theym towarde syclynere. Digby omits the name of their place of destination.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 63
and therfor he gyfes you that grace and hardenes ; and so l ye shuld [thynke] how l to thonke Gode." " Ma dame," said he, " so I doo ; hot I trowe that the entrepris comes of you." " Now Ponthus," said she, " leve we thes wordes, for in goode
5 faithe the gladdest tythandes that myn hert myght haue, was to he? goode tydynges of you — as longe as I fynde you trewe to kepe my worshipp and my lordes my faders." " Ma dame," said he, " therof truste ye verrely ; for I hade levyr be deid then to have thoght othre wyse, by my faithe."
10 And vpon thes wordes come oon of his xiij fellawes, called Guenelete, whiche was named full envious and a fai? speke? and a grete flatere?, and hade grete envye at his maistre Pon- thus. And at that tyme the? was noo grettre maistre in the centre then he. So he see the kyng olde, and thoght by fai?
!5 speche and flattery that he wold be maistre : and so he thoght to aloigne his maystre Ponthus, whiche was full secrete with the kyng ; and he thoght, if that he myght a litle enstraunge hym fro that courte, that he shuld then be maistre and most privey with the kyng.
20 Thus he couthe not refreyne hym selfe fro dooyng of treson. And so he sawe the kyng allone in a wode, wher as hunted he;2 and so he said vnto hym, "Ser, I wolle telle you a grete coun- sell, so that ye wold ensure me and make protestacon trewly, by a kynges worde, that ye shall not dyscouere me." Said the
25 kyng, "I awe? and promys you faithfully that I shall not dis- couere you." Then Guenelete said, " My ryght gude Lorde, ye haue noryshed me, and all the goode that I haue, comes of youre goode grace ; so I haue cause to loue you more then my fadre, or modre, or all the worlde. Wherfore myn hert may
30 not soffre you? harme ne dyshonowr; and not withstondyng I loue Ponthus more than any thyng bot you, for sothe itt is this, — that Ponthus loues my lady you? doghtre. Wherof I make you wyse, for he is a full fai? knyght ; so I doute lest
1 MS. so she shuld and how. I emend by changing she to ye, inserting thynke to complete shuld, and dropping and. W, so ye ought for to thanke hym hyghly. B, si len deuez moult merrier. * MS. he was, Om. was.
64 F. J. MATHER, JR.
any fouuysch love be betwen theym, wherof ye myght haue shame or dyshonowr." "Ay," said the kyng, whiehe thoght noo thyng bot goode, " Guenelete I see wele that ye loue me and that ye wold not my dyshonowr. I am beholden to you 5 at all tymes and thonkes you gretly herof." And thus the kyng thonked hym, as he that wenyd that he had said him trauthe. And Guenelete said, " My Lorde, ye shuld not thonke me, for I be so myche beholden vnto you that the? is noo thyng that a mortall man (myght do) for you? Lordeship bot that I
10 wold doo itt, if I shuld dye therfore, forto lenght you? live, if
nede we?; and Ser, I wold tell you howe ye myght best preve
hym, and he say that he loues hi? not, — bid hym make an othe
thervpon, and peraventure ye shall see that he wolle not swe?."
And so Guenelete herde Ponthus say that in the parties of
15 Spayne noo kynges sone shuld make noon othe to credaunce, whylst that he myght fyght — and if he dide, he we? dys- honored ; and therfore he said the same to the kyng, for he wyst wele that he wold not swe? ; and therfore by that maner he wold attempe hym, and by thoos meanes to enstraunge hym.1
20 [Cap. XXII. How the kyng required an othe of Ponthus ; and he, that myght not swere, offred hym to fyght with thre or with four. And how Ponthus wold not abyde in the courte in mystruste and in susspeccion, bot toke leve of Sydone for vij yeres.]
25 fTHhe kyng was thoghtfull of the tythyng, as he that mer-
-1- vellously lovyd his doghtre and he that had grete drede
of his dyshonow ; and when he was comen fro the wodd and
lyghted doune fro his palfrey, so furth with come Ponthus,
r*F l 181 1 wenvng ^o haue taken his swerd and his gloves as he was
30 accustomed. Then the kyng turned hym an othre * way and
1 R and W have an additional sentence. Et par ceil . , . . lestrangeroit de la court, car nul enuieulx ne pent riens souffrir. for to estraunge hym from the countree for to haue the more rule gadered in to his owne hande \ for an envyous man may no thyng su/re.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE.
65
nawthre made to hym countencwnce ne spake. And when Ponthus perceyved that he was wrothe to hym, he said, " Ser, be ye wrothe with me ? Say to me, if it like you, for Goddes loue, what I haue forfeted." And the kyng, which was right 5 wrothe of suche fals informacion, said, " Ponthus I haue made a simple nurture in you, when ye wate to dyshonowr me." "Howe Ser?" said Ponthus, "By what way?" Then said the kyng, " For ye loue my doghtre to dyshonowr me. And I haue noomoo children hot hi?, whiche is all my ioy
10 and the lenghthyng of my life.'' " Ser," said he, "Who said you this ? And the? be any man that dare say itt, or mayn- tene itt, I am redy to shew my body that he lyes falsly — save you? worshipp." " Nay," said the kyng, " bot and ye wolle swe? vpon a messe-booke that ye loue hi? not as I haue said,
15 peraventure I wolle leve you." " Ser, for to say that I loue hi? not as the doghtre of my ryght goode lorde — aftre my dutye, I owe not to say; bot if the? be any man that wolle say that I loue hi? to dyshonour you or hi?, in wylle, dede, or in thoght, I shall answe? as a true knyght shuld doo. And
20 Ser ye knowe wele, othre thing ye shuld not disi? of me, you? worshipp saved, for ye wote wele that noo kynges sonne shuld make noon othe of fals vndirstondyng, whils that he may defende hym with his hondes. And suche is the custome of the centre whiche I am of." " I wote not howe itt is,"
25 said the kyng, that was ryght wrothe of the wordes that he held.1 " Ser," said Ponthus, which was right sory, " I offre me to feght with thre or fou?; for I fele myn hert so sure and so true that I am certan that God wolle helpe, as he is true luge of this dede and of all othre." "Ay," said the
30 kyng, " ye hold you so strong and so knyghtly, that ye wote wele that the? (dare)2 no man feght with you." "Ay Ser," said Ponthus, " offre me to doo that thyng that I may doo to
1 The emendation herd is probable, but held makes good sense, regarding Ponthus as the subject of the clause — le roy, qui moult fel estoit de* parole^ quil avail ouyes. W, had herde keeping the construction of R.
1 R, nul noseroit eombatre.
5
66 F. J. MATHER, JR.
saue my worschipp." The kyng passed ouer and said the? shuld no batell be doon for that dede.
And when Ponthus herd this, he was ryght sory and wrothe. By cause that he was a kynges sonne, he had shame to make 5 the othe that turnyd hym to shame ; and that othi? side, he was sory be cause that the kyng wold doo hym noo ryght. And then he come to the kyng and toke his leve and said that he wold byde no lenger in his courte in mystruste ne in susspeccion.
10 So he departed and come to Sydone and told hi? how the kyng had said to1 hym, and howe the kyng wold not doo hym ryght, and howe that he had offred hym to feght with thre or fou?, and how that he wold putt hym to his othe, to his grete shame and dishonu?. And when Sydone herd this
15 and vndirstode itt, it nedes not to aske if that she had any sorowe in hi? hertt ; for she was so sorofull that she was almuste loste. And when she myght speke, she said, "Ay Lorde Godde, who be [thes] 2 traitours and flatterers that so myche fals lyhyng has founde ? — for in goode faithe, I wolle
20 swere on the sacrament, that the? is noo vyllanye thoght in ou? loue. Bot sothely it is,3 that envy may not dye."
"Ma dame," said Ponthus, "ye say sothe. Bot I wolle take leve of you with suche regrete and sorowe as euer knyght did, and toke, of his lady." "Ay," sayd she, " my swete loue, me
25 semes it we? bettre for to swe?, for ye may doo itt surely, and excuse vs." " Ay Ma dame," sayd he, " I dare not be seen in my contrey, if I dide soo ; and God graunte I be not the first kynges sonne that makes the furste othe, for at all tymes itt suld be reproche to me and to myn heyers. Bot Ma dame, not
30 withstondyng thoghe the body proloyne for a while, the hertt 4 [*Fol. 181b.] shall day and nyght * dwell with you. And if it pleasse God,
1 MS. after to, hir* cancelled by the rubricator. * W, these. R, ces.
3 B, Mais ainsi est. W, But thus it is.
*The scribe has run down a flourish from this word into the lower margin of the Fol. inclosing in it a heart.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 67
at the ende of vij ye? I shall see you agane, and I live, hot if I come herfte;1 and if itt like you to kepe you vnmaried vnto that tyme — if ye may — I wold pray you." "Ay," said she, " the terme is long and farre. And how many sorofull days
5 and nyghtes shall be betwen you and me in the meane tyme ! " And with thes wordes she fell in swone and was all discolored. Thus was the hertes of theym bothe so sore knytt2 to gedre that with grete payne they myght vnnes any thyng say, bot [th]at3 they cleped aythre othre and the terys fell doune from
10 thei? eeyn.
Then Ponthus putt his hoode afore his eyne, and departed and went frome hi? vnto his chaumbre, and shitte the doore vpon hym. And then his hertt beganne to swell and said to hym selfe that he was the mervellest knyght livyng; that for
15 hym that lady myght recey ve blame or shame with oute cause ; and on that side,4 he losys all wordly ioy, when he losys the contrey and the syght of hi?, of the whiche he has bot litle recoueryng. And thus he complenys hym and wementys hym ryght sorofully. And when he hade ben a while in that
20 sorowe, then he comforted hym selfe to make goode che? and refrenyd hym selfe ryght myche.
And if he hade sorowe in his hertt, Sidone had as myche ; for she entred into hi? warderop and called Ellious vnto hi?, and when she sawe that the? was noon bot they twoo and that
25 they we? alloone, then beganne hi? sorowe, so grete and so mervellous, that it was pitee to see. "Ay," said she, " my swete love goos a way — the fai?, the goode, the floure of knyghthode and of curtesy, and the beste that levys and the best manerd and enteched aboute5 all maner of estates and
ll read clearly herfte, which I fail to understand, in the MS. Some word meaning earlier is required. R, se plus tost ne reuien. W, yf toner J come not. \ Is it possibly herste (illogical h and long s) for erste.
8 MS. after knyit, W, cancelled by the rubricator.
'The conj. at may be a genuine colloquial form, that has slipped into the text. W, saue onely that.
*R,Etdautrepart. W, And oho he leseth. 5 R, En tons cttas. W, among.
68 F. J. MATHER, JE.
among all maner of people — and that is goode reson that he be so, for he loues God, dredes hym, and worshippes hym ; and has the olde and the wyse in reuerence. He is humble to the moste and to the leste; he is myrroure of all noblenes and 5 largenes ; his swete hertt is gentle, humble, and debonere. What shall myn hertt doo aftre his departyng, bot langoure, and weymente day and nyght, witAoute any ioy or reste ? — for I knowe wele his swete hertt wolle haue no lesse."
Then she toke Ellious by the harme hastely and furth with
10 fell to the grounde in swone. And Ellious weped, and arased 1 hi? lady with a litle water, and conforted hi? in the best wyse that she myght ; bot it avayled hi? not, she was so sory. And then she said to Ellious, " I may not in noo wyse kepe my hertt ne counsell close frome you, so myche I loue and trustes
!6 you. Bot love, this sorowe comys on me when I thinke2 the grete vntrauthe that has ben putt vpon vs, and that we neuer thoght vyllany, for mor true? loue was neuer betwen two per- sounes; and aftre, I thinke the wordes3 that be said of grete wrong, and that for me he loses the contrey whe? he was so
20 wele beloued of grete and small, and all the evyll that he shal soffre and haue shall be for my sake ; and thus I shall be cause of his mysohief. All thes thinges drives sorowe to myn hertt." Gretly she wemented and aftre dryed hi? eyn. And itt was long or she come to the chaumbre of astate among hi?
25 ladys and gentylwommen ; and made no semelance, bot as it greved hi? bot a litle. She was right wyse and wele couthe kepe hi? contenawnce. The ladys and the gentylwommen weped and wemented of the departyng of Ponthus and said that cursed was he that suche falsed fonde and contreved.
30 Bot Sydon reconforted theym full gentylly and womanly. And thus I turne agane to Ponthus.
1R, et Eloix pleure et arouse sa dame. Arased then means "sprinkled," Fr. arroser. W shows a combination of a curious blunder and a correct translation : toke rose water and bespryncled her lady.
* E, ie pense la grant desloyaulte translated slavishly. W, thynke on.
3 R, ie pense les paroles. W, thynke on.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 69
[Cap. XXIIL How Ponthus departed from the courte and saled to England; and how the kynges sonne of Eng- land, that was called Henry, welcomed hym and toke hym to the courte wher as he was ryght wele cherysed. 5 And how the kyng of Irlond made werre vpon theym, and Ponthus toke hym prisonner ; and afire councelled theym to make peace betwen the reaumes, and the kyng of Irlond to wed the kynges doghtre of Englond.]
POnthus called his chaumberlayne, a squye?, and com- maunded hym to trusse and to putt in males all that was nede, and toke leve of euery persone of the courte. So was the? noon bot they made sorowe for his departyng and weped; and euery man and womman had as myche sorowe and doyll in thei? hertt as the[i] wold haue hade, iff all they?
15 frendes had ben deid — so myche they loued hym.
Then he departed from the courte ; and the barounes, the knyghtes, and who so euer myght lepe on hors bak conveyd hym wepyng, and wenyd varely to have withholden hym with fai? language, sayng, that the kyng was olde and not wyse,
20 and that he shuld not take to hert that that he said. Bot he wold not abyde for all they? langage.
And when they had conveyd hym twoo myles, he aboode and prayd theym to turne agane ; and so he made theym to turne a gane, whedre they wold or not. In takyng leve was
26 wepyng enughe.
So they retourned and made grete sorowe for his departyng, sayng, "Ay Bretan, thou oughte to be dysmated and wepyd : l when the fai?, the goode, the most worshipfull knyght takes his leve, the whiche keped theym in peace and ioy; for he
30 keped theym, as the hen did hi? byrdes vndre hi? weng, from all evyll neghboures and aduersaries. The barounes and the people also wepyd and regreted, in cursyng theym that the fals wordes had founde and contrevyd.
'Adj. in the sense of sorowful, for biwcpyd. R, bretaigne tu dois bien plourer. W, thou oughtest wde to wepe.
70 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Ponthus rode to Sainte Malo de PYsele,1 and thedre made corne a shipp, and on the morowe herd messe, and aftre went to take the see. And so Herland the senysshall and his fel- lawes wenyd to haue goone with hym ; hot he wold not soffre
5 theym, and said, that the kyng had norysshed theym and made theym,2 and that he myght doo theym, myche goode ; and ther- fore he counselled theym for to abyde styll with the kyng. And thus with grete payne they departed frome hym full sorofully and toke leve of hym wepyng. And when the shipp
10 was oute of theyr sight, then began they? doyll and thei? grete
sorow — bot if itt we? Guenelete, which made semelante as he
had wepyd, and was no dele sory, bot hade grete ioy in his
hert inwarde, what che? so ever that he shewyd outewarde.
And Ponthus went his way, and thus he losys the syght of
15 Bretan. Then the teres fell doune frome his eyne, and softely said, "Blessed be Bretane and the fai?, the goode, the [most] trusty, that lyues3 — Sydone, and all othre ladys and gentyl- wommen for loue of hi? and goode knyghthode, for I neuer sawe ne hard of noon4 bettre."4 Grete sorowe then his hertt
20 had for Sydone. Not withstondyng, he keped his sorowe in the most covert wyse that he couthe or myght.
And within a whyle he arryved at Hampton and come rydyng toward London. And the? passed by the way a grete bore; and a grehounde toke the bore; and then Ponthus with
25 his sworde clove hym in the myddys in twoo peces. And Ser Henry the kynges sonne sawe the stroke and had grete mervell therof ; and prayd hym to dwell with hym. And Ponthus graunted hym.
IMS. lysele. R, saint malo. ~W, say nt Solo (sic).
3 W, And y( he was of power to make them & doo them good. K, le roy les auoil nourris etfais et leurferoit des biens assez.
3 MS. loues. I emend the passage following R, benoist soil brelaigne. El la belle et la plus loyale qui vine et la meilleur.
4 MS. more bittre. Cf. W,/or better nor sweter was there neuer. Both English versions depart from K's, Car onques plus doulx pays [Bretaigne] ne feust. The emendation may appear somewhat heroic, but clearly there is confu- sion in the passage as it stands.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 71
And the kynges sonne enquired of his estate. And he told
hym not as yete, hot tolde hym that he was comen to the
courte of Englonde to see itt, by cause of the grete renoune
that he herd of the kyng, and of his twoo sonnes ; and that
5 he come also to see the estate and noblenes of the same centre
and reaume. "Ser," said Henry, "ye be ryght welcome. And
I be oon of the kynges sonnes, and I pray you to be with me."
" Ser, in Godes name, savyng that it pleasse yow."
r*Fol 1821 Thus they wente to gedre toward the courte, spekyng of
10 mony thynges.1 * And when they come to the courte, the kyng was even2 sett to mete. Henry commewnded his men that they shuld delyuere chaumbre and stable to his newe knyght. And itt was so doon. The kynges sone entred into the hall and his knyghtes with hym. The kyng asked hym
15 howe he had hunted and the queue bothe. And he tolde theym. Then the kyiig asked hym prively what was the fai? knyght. And he tolde hym howe he had hym founde, and of the grete stroke that he gave the bore. And Ponthus was gretly loked vpon, for on euery syde they come to beholde
30 hym, and hade grete mervell of hym.
The courte was anoon full of the tithynges that the? was comen with the kynges sonne the fairest knyght that euer any man loked vpon. The ladys and gentyl women beheld hym, and in especiall the kynges twoo doghters. Eueryche of theym
25 said, "Se he?, a mervellous fai? knyght!" "Yea," said sume, " if he be fey?, he is more amyable and plesaunt." They made hym sitt among the ladis, and aftre dynne? they went furth of the hall ; and then was broght furth the bore, whiche was the bore that they had sen before, whiche was cutt in twoo peces.
30 " Loo ! " said Henry to the kyng and to the queue, " what my newe knyght has doone with oon stroke of a swerde." And Ponthus turned hym an othre way and shamed that they prased hym so myche.
1 The -es is nearly erased.
* R, le roy estoit ia assis a disner. W, ye kynge wew set at dyner.
72 F. J. MATHER, JR.
The kyng and the quene asked hym of whens that he was. And he said, of the reaume of Fraunce. "And what call they you? " said the kyng. " Ser, they call me Le Surdite de Droyte Voy." And so they asked hym of the tydynges of Fraunce, 5 and of mony thynges. And the kyng herde hym so wysely spoken and answeryng, that he gretly mervelled. Then he said to the quene, that he had not herd a bettre avysed ne bettre attempred in language then he was — "and for sothe myn hertt yeves me that he is grettre of byrthe, and more
10 noble, then he makes hym." And thus they tarryed a grete whyle; and the more that they sawe hym, the more they loued hym and prased hym.
Grete doylle made the kynges eldest sonne that he had not the furst mett with hym, before his brodre Henry ; for Pon-
15 thus knewe notablely of all maner games — of huntyng, of hawkyng, and othre disportes ; and euer he made as thoghe he knewe no thyng, ne he prased neuer hym self in nothyng that he dide. Gretly was prased his connyng and his maners among all the people. He loued God and the chirche, and
20 euery day he herd messe ; and gave his almus secretly to the pouere people. And he wold neuer swe? by God ne by noon of his saintes.
Uppon a day itt befell that the Erie of Gloucestre sonne, which was a ryght fai? knyght and a strong, and was right
25 presumptuous, cast the stoone with the kynges sonne Henry, and mony othre noble knyghtes that was the?. And he hade passed Ser Henry nygh fou? fyngers, and he avaunted hym selfe therof before the ladys. And of his boste Ser Henry was evyll plesyd, and called Ponthus to hym and said, " Surdyte
30 my frende, I pray you to revenge me, for Rolande Gloucestre makes his boste afore the ladys that he has passed me to myche." l " Ser," said Surdyte, " sith it please you, I wolle, bot I am vnlykly." Then he toke the stone of his maistre and caste itt easly frome hym, and passed hym uegh by twoo
1 K, se vente .... quil ma passe de trop.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 73
fyngers. Then the thothre2 toke the stone and reforced hym and did so myche that he caste as farre. "Ay," said Ser Henry, " by the faithe that ye owe to the lady that ye beste r*Fol 183 1 ^oue in *ke WOI>lde, caste itt as farre as ye may."
5 And when he herd hym thus require * hym, he remembred hym of his lady, and toke the stone, and said, " Ser, ye haue sore required me, for I owe grete feithe to my lady, my modre." "Ay," said Gener the kynges eldist doghtre, " be ye so myche waxen, and be to seche with ladys vnto no we?" l " Ma dame,"
10 said he, " I am so fonde and bustus that noon deynes to loue me." " God knowes that itt is trewe," said Gener. And then she said in hi? hertt, " Now wolde Gode that he wold loue me as wele as I loue hym."
And then Surdyte toke the stonne and cast it vij fote ferthre.
15 And when the kyng and the ladys sawe the cast, they mervelled therof gretly. The Erie sonne of Gloucestre was abasshed and said that he was ouercomen. Then said Henry to Surdyte, " Why haue ye so longe abyden to cast that grete caste ? " "Ser," said he, "and ye hade not so sore desired me, I wold
20 not haue melled therwith, for I haue doone the Erie sonne of Gloucestre dysplese? — and that dyspleses me, if it we? not to fullfyll you? cowmaundment ; for it longes not to me to dys- plese any man." So his maistre sawe wele the curtesy of the knyght.
26 So come Gener to hi? brothre Henry, and said, "Fai? brothre come and sporte you in my chaumbre, ye and you? knyght, I pray you." "Sustre," said he, "I wolle." And so they went to dysporte theym in hi? chaumbre. There they had wyne and spices and aftre they begane to daunce and
30 syng. Bot with grete payne they myght vnnethe make Sur-
^pparently a case of "tother," dentals are irregular in this MS., so I have let it stand.
* W, Surdyt Surdyt \ it may not be that ye be now \ vnpurchased and be so moche & so goodly. R, Sourdit, Sourdit a peine esles si grant creu que vous en soies a pourehaser dun aulre. Our translator apparently had an original differing from R
74 P. J. MATHER, JR.
dyte de Droyte Voy to demnce, for he said he couthe noo thyng doo ; hot when he was in daunce,1 he daunced so that noo man daunced like hym. And also vnneth they couthe make hym to syng. Bot at the kynges doghtre praye?, he 5 song a songe whiche was passyng swete.
And aftre when they had songen, the kynges sonne and his sustre beganne to harpe. And when they had harped a whyle, they prayd Surdyte to harpe. Bot they had grete payne to make hym to doo any thyng as towchyng to harpyng, syng-
10 yng, or daunsyng ; hot at the last he harped a newe lay that was mervellous. "Goode faithe!" said Gene?, "I haue grete ioy that ye can this, for we haue had grete desi? to knowe itt — for it is the lay that the goode knyght Ponthus made for his love, as it is told vs." " Madame, I wote not who made itt,"
15 said he. Bot yitt he was a litle aschamed, and waxed rede, when he thoght on hi? that he made itt for. Then Gener and hi? sustre lerned itt, and had itt wretyn.
And anon went the kynges sonne and his twoo susters to the kyng they? fadre and to the quene, and told theym that
20 Surdyte couth the lay that Ponthus made in Litle Bretan. And the2 kyng commaimded hym to harpe itt be-for hym and the quene ; and they thoght itt mervellously goode, and said to thei? twoo doghters, "Truly, fai? doghters, we wold that ye lernyd itt, for itt is ryght goode, and the knyght doos
25 itt wondrely wele — and of all dyssportes and 'plays he canne enowe."
And on a tyme Gener demawnded hym and sayd, " Surdyte se ye any lady in this londe, whe? ye lyst putt you? hertt and plesaunce vnto? I pray you, tell ye me; and in goode faithe,
30 I am she that wolle you? worshipp." " Ma dame," said he, " God thonke you at all tymes, for I haue grete nede of you? goode helpe; bot in this case, I loue all as goode ladys." "Ay," said she, " Be they all comon to you, or be the? any that has avauntege before any othre?" "Ma dame," said he,
1 R,fuala dance. * MS. ther*.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 75
" all be so good that noon may honour and worshipp theym
so myche as they be worthie; and as tovching me, the honu?1
of so pouere a knyght is litle worthe." "Ay," said she, " he
[*Fol.l83b.] is not pouere that has the beautie, the bountie, the * goode
5 maneres, and the fey? countenawnce, that ye haue ; for in goode feith, I knowe not so grete a lady in this lande bot that she myght hold hi? worshipp, if that she were love vnto suche a knyght as I trowe that ye be." " Ma dame," said he, " I be farre frome suche worthynes as ye say that I be of." "Ay,"
10 said she, " I say noo thyng bot that me thynkis2 sothe." " Yea Ma dame," said he, " Itt likes you forto dysporte with me, that be so pouere a knyght." And thus he held hym all vpon iapes, and made noo semeland to be in any throwes of love3 — wherof itt dyspleased hi? gretly ; for and she had founde any cause or
15 draght of love in hym, she wold haue dyscouered her more largely. And that perceyved Surdyte ryght wele ofte tymes, by hi? and by mony othre ladys and gentylwommen, which cast to hym mony coverte wordes and contenawnce — whiche with goode wyll wold haue loued hym, and he hade wold.
20 Bot he shewed to eueryche elyke goode chere withoute any contenawnce of love ; wherfor the[re] 4 were many sorofull, and in especiall the kynges twoo doghters.
Ryght wysely he aqwanted hym with, and did plesaitnce to, euery body. Mony nyghtes he thoght on his lady and made
25 dyuers lays, wherof the wordes of oon lay ended in contenyng of sorowe5 — that he wold loue hi? withoute any eschaunge;6 and in thes thinges at sume tyme he toke myche of his com- forthe, and lyghtnes of his straunge thoghtes.7
1 R, lamour. W, loue. The translator probably read lamour as lonour in his French original. * MS. thynk is.
3 R, effray darner. W, wyll for to loue. 4 R, dont il y en eust.
* R, Et faisoit lays et virelays et tous les noms cheoient en regart de doulceur (sic). W, the whiche fell in complaynyng of sorowe.
'R, sans changer.
7 R, prenoit moult de confort a la guet de ses estroites penses. W, blunders in this passage : & in these thoughtes he toke ofte tymes grete dyscomforte (sic) & sometyme allegyaunce of his heuy thoghtes.
76 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Then itt befell that there was grete rumour of werre betwen the kyng of Englond and the kyng of Irlond; for there was taken truse, which was broken vpon a Myghelmes, the1 [whiche] was twoo days passed. And the kyng of Irelond 5 had at that tyme ryden with a grete armye. And anoon the? come tydynges to the courte therof. And the kyng sent oute privey scales, and le#res of commcmndement, thorow oute his reaume ; and ordaned to send furth his twoo sonnes.
Surdyte asked his maistre, "Ser, what title has the kyng
10 to werre ? " And Ser Henry toke hym that he had goode title, and toke itt vpon perell of his saule. Then said Sur- dyte, " Ser, I wolle goo with you ; for in no evyll title of Cristen werres I wold not goo, for noo thyng. For we oughte mo2 to loue ou? saules then ou? bodyes that be mortal!, and
15 from day to day drawen to an ende — and the saule may not dye, and it behoves to haue it3 rewarde of Almyghty Gode, authi? goode or evyll." His maistre herkened hym wele, and prased hym myche in his hertt, notwithstondyng he wenyd that his fadre hade goode ryght.
20 The armye made,4 they beganne to goo aganes the kyng of Irelond, which had taken a castell and held itt — the which he had wonne with a sawte. And when the kyng of Irland herd by his spyes that the kynges twoo sonnes come to the batell, anon he come against theym ; for he was an hardy
25 man and a worthie. And he had six batells and had mony comons with hym.
1 B, La quelle estoit passee de trois iours. W, and was passed a thre. days.
* MS. me. R, mieidx. W, better.
3 Reading his for it, or dropping it from the text would amend the passage. It, in any form, as a genitive is of course impossible at this date. R, son guerredon. W, her rewarde.
4R, Mais touteffois cuidoit il que son pere eust droil en larmee. Cefait Us partirent et allerent contre le roy dislande. Apparently the translator has rendered ce fait, the armye made (i. e., put in order) deceived by the prox- imity of larmee in his original. The blunder is a surprising one, but it appears better to tally with the texts than the obvious but unsatisfactory emendation beginne for beganne. W, The armes were assembled & wente.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 77
And the kyng of Englondes twoo sonnes had bot fou? batells with theym : wherof the Erie of Northampton, that was marshall, hade the furste batell ; the secund batell had the Lorde Henry; and the third had the kyng1 eldyst sonne, 5 in the which we? mony Barounes ; the fourte batell had the kyng of Cornewale, which was a full good knyght and nevewe vnto the kyug, and with hym we? the Walshmen.
The kyng of Irland had the moste parte of his men on fote.
Bot the Englyschmen we? the most parte on hors bak. At
10 the sembly we? grete showtes and cries, and mony knyghtes
beten doune so that they had no powe? to relief theym self.
So had the Erie soffred twoo batelles to come vpon hym. And
[*Fol. 184.] when Surdyte, that was in the * secunde batell, sawe thei?
men withdrawe theym, he said to his maistre, " Ser, itt is
15 tyme that we meve vs. Youre men losys grounde." " Ye
say sothe," said the Lorde Henry.
Then they went furthe and entred into the batell and felled doune mony knyghtes in theyr entryng. And aftre they toke theym to they? swordes ; and then began the feghtyng strong 20 and fersly. And anoon the Ireschmen drewe bak, so that the othi? batell come in, in the whiche was the kyng of Irland and the best knyghtes that he had. The? was grete noys of trumpys. Itt was not long afte? bot all the batells assemelyd with mony grete iustys, bot itt we? to long to tell all, how 25 they we? doon.
Surdyte, that had grete desi? to doo fetes of armes, bett doune mony with the tronchon of his spe?; and aftre toke hym vnto his sworde and began fersly, and smote on aythre syde hym//and made rowme before hym, so that he was knawn 30 of theym that neuer saw hym befor. He did so manfully that mony left thei? feghtyng to behold hym.
Then said the kyng of Irlond, that if yonde knyght shuld live long, he wold ga? his men lose grounde. And so he smote the hors with his spurrys ; and with a gret short spe?
1 The g has a large tag much like the usual flourish, unlike the -t* con- traction.
78 F. J. MATHER, JR.
he smote Surdyte at a travers, that he had nyghe ouerthrawen hym. Notwithstondyng, he fell not. And when he was re- dressed vp agayn, he said in his hertt that he was hot litle worthe, hot if he we? revenged. He knewe wele that it was
5 the kyng of Irland for othre mervelles of armes that he sawe hym doo, and he sawe (hym) rychely arrayd in pereles and precious stones.
Then Surdyte avaunced hym and smote hym vpon his helme so grete a stroke that he was astoned and bowed bak
10 vpon the arson of his sadle ; and then he wold smyte hym noo more, for fere lesse he shuld sley hym ; and thoght in his hertt that itt was not Godes wyll, that he shuld sley so goode a knyght. Then he toke hym by the shulders and drewe hym to hym, furth of his sadle, and cast hym before hym
15 and bare hym as the wolfe beres his pray. The Iresche men trowed to have rescoued hym ; but Surdyte smote so sore aboute hym that they durst n,ot tovche hym and he bare oute of the batell, and putt, hym in save garde.
When the Ireschmen sawe that they? kyng was taken, they
20 loste they? corage and hardenes ; and toke theym to flyght, thos that myght — sume to the woddes and sume to the hylles. And mony we? beten doune deid. And at nyght enery man toke that they myght, and drewe theym to they? banne? and to they? stondard, and luged theym in the felde in signe of
25 victorye. Bot the Lorde Henry had gret ioy of his knyght, that had taken the kyng. Myche was the speche of Surdyte, that all the felde was wonne by hym. And on the rnorowe they went before the castell that the kyng of Irelond had taken ; and within a whyle it was yelden vp, and mony othre
30 tounes and castells that they had taken.
Grete was the ioy (of the tydynges) that come to the courte l — howe by Surdyte the kyng of Irlond was taken and all his men dyscomfetyd ; and at thei? comyng home the kyng and the quene went aganes hym with grete ioy, and said, " This
1 MS. courte and. R, Moult fu grant la loye et lafeste des nouudles . . ., comme le Sourdit auoit este vainquer.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 79
knyght is welcome, whiche is the floure of knyghthod." Sur- dyte was ashamed of the grete worshipp that they did hym ; and said to the kyng and to the quene, that they did hym shame to putt hym to so grete worshipp, that had not diserued 5 itt. "Ay," said the kyng, " I trowed that I had doon wele, bot syth it displeasses you, I wolle doo noo more so."
Menne asked the kyng what he wold doo with the kyng of
Irlonde, and he answeryd and said, " Like as Surdyte wolle ;
[*Fol. 184b.] and that he * be not sett in pHsoune, bot if he commawnde
10 itt." And Surdyte answerd therto and said, "As the kyng wolle, so be itt doon ; and if itt like hym, by myn advice, it were wele doon to doo hym worshipp, and that he myght etc and drynk in the hall." And the kyng said the counsell was goode, and comraairaded his yonge? sonne to bryng hym into the hall.
15 And the kyng of Irland was full semely and a full fair1 knyght, of thirtee yeres of age, and was richely arrayd in a coote of purple and a mantyll of sabyllyn doune to the foote. He was gretely beheld of all the people. The kyng and the quene made hym che?.for the loue of Surdyte; and he was
20 sett betwen the kynges twoo doghters. Bot he made bot symple chere. And Surdyte come to hym, and said, " Ser, be ye of goode che?, for ye haue goode and easy pnsoune betwen twoo fai? ladyes." " Truly," said the kyng, " sithe Gode hath sent me suche prison, me oght not gretly to be dysmated."
25 Afire dynner Surdite made hym to talke with the kynges yonge? doghtre, and said to hi?, " Madame, howe likes you the kyng of Irlond ? If I knewe that it liked you, I wold speke of a mariage betwen you and hym, althogh it long1 not to me — for pouere men has bot litle voice among grete men
30 and lordes." "Ay," seid she, " Surdite haue ye said as ye thoght?" " Yea Madame," said he, " if I wyst that it we? to you? pleasure." " For sothe," said she, " itt pleases me, if it pleasse my fadre and my brethre,2 sith that I may not haue
*A large g tag may represent an -es, but is probably merely a flourish.
* The first e looks like an o, in which the pen has slipped downward in making the left stroke, but there is no doubt that the reading is brethre, not brothre.
80 F. J. MATHER, JE.
an othre, that be navthre kyng ne duke — bot he is the fairest knyght of the world, and the best." " Madame," said he, " it is a straunge thyng to knowe the beste, for the? be mony goode." And he thoght that she said it by hym. And so 5 she did. Bot he wold not comforth hi? therin. And afire they went furth for to dysporte theym in the gardyns, and playd att the chesse and att the tables, and at mony othre dysportes.
On the morowe the kyng of Englond held a grete fest
10 and a counsell, — and the? was the kyng of Scottes, that had weddyd his sustre, and the kyng of Cornewale, and princes, dukes and barounes, — to wytt what shuld be doon with the kyng of Irlonde. And thus they spake of dyuers ways. And at the last the kyng asked Surdyte and badd hym say
15 his advyce, — "for itt is reason that we take ou? advice att you that has hym vndre subieccon." He excused hym to sey, bot the kyng commaunded hym to sey, "Ser, sith me must nedes speke, foryeve me my rude and my simple speche. It semes me that the quarell and the debate that I haue herde
20 is not myche worthe, for itt is not the lawe ne the commaunde- ment of Gode to be all wey in aduersite — for he sais, ' Loue thy neghbou? as thy selfe ; ' and also, when Gode was borne, the aungell come to the shepherdes, and shewed to theym the message of Gode, and aftre went vp into hevyn synghyng,
25 Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hommibits, &c., that is to say, ' Glorye and worshipp be vnto Gode in high places, and in erthe, peace to all people.' l Also God said to his apostylls dyvers tymes, ' Peace be among you.' So if God haue sent you grete realmes, kyngdomes, and lordeshipps, itt
30 is not for to werre, the stronng ayeinst the feble ; for ye werre also ayeinst the pouere people, whiche ye oughte to kepe in reste and peace, and they ben sleyn and distroyed. That is
1 W and B. have nothing corresponding to in high places ; they substitute for att people. W, men of good wyll. R, hommes de bonne voulente. The verse from the Vulgate is completed in W by the addition of bone voluntatis ; in K it stops at Deo.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 81
grete pitee for the Cristen to here of. And I shall say you
what wolle make goode peace betwen you, by myn advice, —
ye shall yeve to hym you? doghtre in mariage, and all this
[*Fol. 185.] debate to be cessed." All lordes said, " Blessyd be * he for
5 his counsell." Soo itt was hold and keped.
Then seid the kyng of Scottes, " Fai? frende, sith that you? fai? speche be so plesaunt to all people, goo ye now to the kyng you? prosonne? and bryng to vs the reporte of his wyll ; for we charge you with that occupacion." And Surdyte said
10 he wold with a goode wyll, sith that itt liked theym. And anoon he went and spake with the kyng of Irlond, and told hym the subieccon that he was in, and the perell that myght fall to his reaume ; and afire told hym howe that God loues hym that loues his neghtboures, and how mony has ben lost
15 by they? corage and excesse of covetyse. "No we what say ye, and I laboure so that ye may haue1 the kynges yongre doghtre and that yowr raunson and debate be foryeven in the mariage; and so euer aftre to be frendes." " Ser," said the kyng, " and ye may bryng itt aboute, I am myche beholden
20 to you, aftre God, most of any man." " Wolle ye," 2 said Surdyte, "that I doo itt and bryng itt to a conclusion?" " Yea," said the kyng, " with all myn hertt, for I desire it most of any thyng."
Then departed Surdyte from hym, and come to the coun-
25 sell, and reported to theym that the kyng was ryght glad of the aliaunce, and forto haue peace.
Thus was itt concluded and fulfylled. And the kyng and she ensured 3 befor the Archebyschop of Canterbury ; and within a moneth aftre they we? wedded with grete fest and
30 ioy, for the kyng of Irlond had the? a hundreth knyghtes of a suyte, and gave to Surdite iiij stedes couresoures, and x thowsand besantes of gold, and grete plente of clothes of golde,
1 The MS. repeats may haue. * MS. yen.
s W, The kyng . . . made y* arehebysshop . . .for to handfest theym. R,,fist . . . fiancer.
6
82 F. J. MATHER, JR.
N
of purpyll, and of sylke, and also grete peyns l of armyn and of sables. And within a while the kyng sent [the] quene into Irlonde, whe? as she was coroned, loued and worshipped.
[Cap. XXIV. How Corbatan the third sonne of the Saw-
5 deyn londed in Englond, and how Ponthus slewe hym
and toke his tresou?. And the kynges two sonnes were
sleyn in the batell. How the kyng offered to Ponthus
to wed Genere his doghtre and to be kyng aftre hyrn.]
SO itt happened in the vijte ye? aftre that Surdyte come into Englond, that the thirde son of the sawdeyn, which was called Corbatan, had pylled mony iles and reaurnes, and doon grete harme vnto the Cristen people, and made mony londes tributary to hym, and londed in Englond as his twoo brethre had — that oon in Spayne, and that othre in Pety
15 Bretan. Anon the? was a grete noys that he was londed with ix C vesselles, grete [and small],2 and defyed the kyng and bad hym voyde the londe, or to forsake they? beleve and pay tribute.
All the centre for grete fere tremelyd,3 when they harde of
20 the grete noumbre that the hethyn we? of. The kyng had counsell forto send hastely aboute, and so he sent hastely for the kyug of Scottes his brothre, and for the kyng of Irlond his son, and for the kyng of Cornewale his nevew, and for the Erie of Wales, and for all othre erles and barounes of his
25 reaume. And when they we? assemylyd, the? was a grete armye. Also he sent his twoo sonnes and Surdyte ; and they come in ordynawnce bot iiij 4 Englysch myles fro the Saresyns, and ordaned they? batelles : wherof the kyng of Scottes and the kyng of Irlonde hade the furst; the secunde hade the
1 R, de bonnes pennes (on an erasure) de gris dermines et de sebelines. W, goodefurres of veer and of sables. See pane, a garment, in Stratmann-Bradley.
2 R, que grans que petis. W, what grete what small.
3 MS. tremelyd mony.
4 R, a trois lieues. O adds anglesses. W, well afoure myle.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 83
kyng of Cornewale ; the thirde, the Erie of Wales ; the iiijte
the Lorde lohn, the kyng eldyst son ; the vto the Lorde Ser
Henry, the kynges yongre son ; and Surdyte had the vj46.
The?1 vj batelles wer, grete, and noumbred to moo than xxx"
5 thovsand horsmen, beside theym that wer on fote, as archers
and al blasters.2 And Corbatan the kyng, which knewe of
they? commyng made xij batelles and had moo then fourtee3
[*Fol. 185b.j thovsand, besyde theym * on fote, and they were ryght fers,
as they that had not ben dyscomfeted in xii yere, sith they
10 departed from the sawdeyn of Babilone.
And on? people rode wele enbatelled and on a rowe ; and when they sawe the Saresyns oste,4 that held so grete a coun- tre,4 they gretly amervelled. They had all herde messe,5 that the Bishop of Canterbury had songen,5 and we? shreven and
15 howselyd, and then they held theym myche more sure. Sur- dyte come by the batelles, and said, " Fei? Lordes, mervelles not of the grete noumbre, for we be vndreneth the banner of ou? Lorde Ihesu Criste, which fulfylled vM1 people with v barley lovys and twoo fysches ; for so he may (gyue) victorye
20 to oon aganes C. Therof haue we goode hertt, and smyte we sharply aganes theym ; for he that wolle,6 — nedes the defendaunt comonly voydes and makes way. So goo we in Goddes name vppon theym withoute any delay, for they haue no Gode to defende theym, ne helpe them ; and lete vs be
25 hardy withouten any fere, and they shall be anoon dyscom- feted, with the grace of God."
'A tempting emendation is thes for ther', but ther' . . . wer translates R, si furenl.
* W, arbalasties. R, arbalestriers. 3 R, quinze. O, /. mille. W, d.
* W, the same, translating R, qui tint si grant pat*. " Who occupied so much space?"
5 The clause is neither in W or R.
6 1. e., smyte sharply. I render, " Who sharply attacks— of necessity the defensive party yields," following R, Car qui bien assault ei se deffent len lui vuide lentree et se fait ou wye. W, condenses, for he that well assaylleth or defendeth vpon theym that haue nofayth Ood helpelh hym.
84 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Then they smote thei? horses with thei? spurrys and come to gedre oon aganes an othre. There was grete cry and noy& of trumpes, and anon we? ryght mony ouerthrawen and dede. , And the batell endured iiij houres1 and more. The? myght 5 men here and see swordes breke and clatre on the helmetea of stele.
Surdyte made way whe? so euer he went, for as mony a& he ouerraghte we? deid or distroyd. Fireague, oon of the Saresyns, had slayne Ser John, the kynges eldest son, of
10 whiche was grete harme. The batell was ryght cruell.
Corbatan the kyng did ryght marvellously dedes of armes and sawe Ser Henry rychely arrayd, and how that he did mony fai? dedes of armes. He toke in his honde a grete shorte sworde2 and stroke hym at a travers, in suche wyse
15 that he perched his goode harnes, and stroke hym into the body alfe a fote. Surdyte then dressed hym and made the Saresyns to flee befor hym with the grete strokes that he gave theym, and beheld his maistre fall to the grounde, and hurte in the body. It nedes not to aske whethre that he was ryght
20 sory or not. And then he stroke on the ryght hond and on the lefte honde, so far furth that he, with the helpe of the kyng of Irlond, made a grete voyde place; and anoon he lyght doune and helped his maystre vpp, and asked hym howe he dyd. And he said, " Wele" — so that he we? revenged
25 vppon hym that had gy ven hym that. "And what is he ? " said Surdyte. " It was Corbatan the kyng of the oste." " Ser, doute ye not," said Surdyte. " I wolle dye, bot . if I son revenge you." Then was the kynges son sett vpon bora bak and putt furth of (the) prese.
30 And then Surdyte associate hym with C men or moo, and behelde the gonfanoune of the kyng Corbatan and went that way, and stroke on euery side thwarton and end way, and brake the prese and sawe the kyng, which did mervellously with his hondes and was rychely armyd and had a ryche
1 R, dura la b. tant qui heure de tierce. W omits.
8 W, a spere grete & sparte (?). E, une espee grosse et court.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 85
croune of golde vpon his hede. Surdyte said vnto hym, "Ay, false Saresyn, thou shall goo no ferthe?, which has hurtt my maistre." Then he come vnto hym and smote hym with all his myght, that he astouned hym and made hym to fall vpoii
5 the arson of his sadle ; and then Surdyte smote hym agane vndre the lasys of his helmete so strongly that he smote of his helmete and his hede with all.
And then he toke the hede and ba? itt to his maistre oute of the prese. And as sone as he sawe itt, he said, " Blessed
10 be God, and I dye, I shal dye more ioyfully ; and grauute [*Fol. 186.] marcy,"1 said he, "to Surdyte." " Ser," * sayd he, "thinke not to dye, for ye shall see within a while thes Saresyns dys- oomfeted, seyng that they? kyng is deid."
And he said sothe ; for as sone as they wyst that theyr
15 kyng was deyd noon of theym stode at defence, bot were sory and abasched, and began to dyscomforth theym self. And Surdyte entred into the presse and began to doo fay? fetes of armes, and to reioyse his felleschipp, and to thrawe doune Saresyns ; and faght so mervellously that all men knewe hym
20 by the grete strokes that he gave. So they fled all afor hym, as doos the hayres afor the grehoundes,2 and toke theym all to gedre as they that were oute of array, and fled by the contre as bestes.
And then ye myght see Englisch, Scottysch, and Iresch, men
25 showte and crye strongly vpon theym, and sloo theym vpon euery side, so that the feld lay full of deyd bodys. The Saresyns wyst not whethi? to flee, ne whe? to hyde theym. Ther we? mony that fled to they? shippes ; bot Surdyte and the Englisch pursued theym son, that they myght flee noo
30 ferther ; and then they wer cast into the see. There was grete slaghtre.
And Surdyte come to a shipp and entred into itt, and spake Latyn, and asked where the shipp was that the kyng was in and his tresowr. Then a Saresyn shewed hym the shipp and
1 R, grant merci. W, grammercy.
* R, camme le lieurefait deuant les chiens. W, as shepe before the wolfe.
86 F. J. MATHER, JE.
went oute with hym into itt, which was grete, fai?, and large, and wele stuffed, that it was mervell to see. And the? we? sume in the shipp that wold a1 defended theym; and Surdyte leid hond on his sworde and sloo all theym that was therin, 5 save thre Saresyns that come in with hym — the whiche said they wold be cristened, by cause that Mahounde soffred so mony to dye. And they wer cristened ; and Surdyte yeave theym myche goode. Then said oon of the Saresyns, " Ser, see ye on of yonde coffyrs and trunkes, that be full of gold
10 and syluer — the which the kyng Corbatan had wonne of mony of the Cristen people in mony realmes, iles, and con- trees — so myche that itt is mervell to see?" And the Cristen lordes toke vesselles and shippes, for the? we? the noumbre of ix C sales. They had mony grete wynnyngges, wherof they
15 we? all ryche.
And Surdyte delyuml his shipp to suche as he trusted best, and badd theym bryng itt to London ; for he thoght the? to yeve to sawdeoures, to men of armes, and archers, for to goo into his contrey of Spayne, that the Saresyns keped in seruage.
20 Notwithstondyng, he gave so grete gyftes that euery man mer- velled for the grete largenes.
The nyght passed — it was on a tuysday — and on the wedyns- day the[i] serched the feld to fynde the Crysten that were slayn. And the? they fonde the kynges twoo sonnes, the Erie
25 of Wales,2 the Erie of Gloucestre, twoo barounes,3 and aboute xl4 knyghtes, and ijMI comons. Sum we? led into they? con- trey and the remenawnt we? buryed in a white6 abbey.
The kyng, the quene, and all the contrey had grete ioy of the victory e that they had. And they said all that the good
30 knyght Surdyte was the chief cause of all ; for had not God and he ben, they had loste the feld. So he had the lavde and the prise.
1 Undoubtedly a colloquialism for wold haue.
* W adds, the baron of siaunford. R, staffort. 3 R, trois autres barons. R, thre other barons.
* R, bien dnquante. W, .xu.
5 W omits. R, en une abbaye blanche.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 87
Bot sorowe and wepyng was the? myche for the kynges twoo sonnes that we? deyd. The kyng, the quene, the ladys and lordes made grete chere and thonkyng to Surdyte, and leyd, by hym they had ouercomen thei? enemes. Surdyte 5 weped when he sawe the kyng wepe for his maistre • hot the kyng toke hym to comforth and said, that in more mery ne in bettre smiice myght he not dye, then in the smiice of God and in defendyng of his contrey aganes the Saresyns.
Itt taryed not long bot that he assemelyd his councell.
10 And the? was the kyng of Scottes, his brothre, the kyng of
Cornewale, his nevewe, and all his lordes. And the kyng
[*Fol. 186b.] said, " Fai? * Seris, ye see the mervelles that be comen to this
londe, and howe I haue lost my two sonnes. I be olde, and
the quene is not yonge ; so we must devyse who may haue
15 this roialme afire, and who sail gouerne itt in myn age." The kyng of Scottes stode vp, and said, " I haue wedded you? sustre and ye haue wedded myn ; so ye owe to holde me as you? brothre. I wold councell you to yeve you? dignite to Surdyte; for then ye shall be dovbted and dred, and you?
20 roialme worshipped and wele gouernyd." And then they answerd all with con voice, that the consell was goode; and the kyng accorded therunto.
And the kyng of Scottes, desyryng to wytt the wyll of Surdyte, said vnto hym, " Surdyte, ye ought to thonke God,
25 for ye be fai? aDd welebeloued of all people ; for the kyng and his lordes has chosen you to haue his doghtre, and to be kyng afire hym — and in his live to gouerne his roialrae." " Ser," said Surdyte, " God thonke the kyng and all theym that wolle me goode and suche worshipp. It is bot febly
30 counselled, for it longes not to a kynges doghtre, and suche an heirytoure, to haue suche oon as I am, and of so lowe lyn- nage ; and Gode forbede, that as by me shuld be lowed the bloode riall." "What is itt that ye say?" said the kyng. " We be all comen of oon fadre and modre. And mor ouer,
35 the? be so myche goode and worshipp in you that ye be worthie to haue a grettre." So they spake myche to gedre of
88 F. J. MATHER, JR.
this mate?. Bot the kyng of Scottes myght neuer fynde in hym any wyll that he wold assent, for he made so fai? excu- sacions that it was meruell to he?.
And when he sawe that he myght not bryng itt aboute,
5 he retourned to the kyng and to the counsell, and said to
theym the answe? that he had, and how that he thonked the
kyng and his counsell, and wysely and worshipfully excused
hym. " Truly," said the kyng, " he is maried, or has be-
travthed sume lady, for ye may he? that is hertt is sett on
10 sume womman." " Truly," said they all, " we trowe he be
maryed or travthe-plyght."
The kynges doghtre was ryght sory that she myght not
haue [hym]. " Truly," said she, "I see wele that his hertt
is sett in sume othre place, or elles he is wedded." She com-
15 plenyd myche in hi? hertt and sorowed, for aboue all men
lyvyng she loued hym the best.
Nowe leve we of Surdyte and of the courte, and retourne we to Sydone and to the kyng of Bretan.
[Cap. XXV. How Guenelete, that made hym maistre aboute 20 the kyng of Bretayn, wold lete marye Sydone vnto the kyng of Burgone. And how Sydone toke terme vnto the Whissontyde at the seuen yeres ende. How Herland sent his sonne Oliver to serche all contrees for Ponthus, and he found hym in the courte of Englond.
25 "YTThen Ponthus had taken his leve of Sydone and taken
V V his shipp to passe ouer the see, itt is noo question bot
Sydone had grete sorowe day and nyght ; bot she keped itt so
secrete that noo man wyst therof bot Ellyous, the whiche com-
forthed hi? gretly. Sydone said in hi? lamentacion : "Alias !
30 for my sake is goon the best and the fayrest of the world."
So itt happened that Guenelete had all his desire and was all maistre aboute the kyng. He was so flateryng and so fai? spoken that he putt Herland oute of his office, and made (the)
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 89
kyng his heuy lorde ; l and he laboured so that he had the kyng and all the courte in goumiaunce.
Sydon was desyred of mony kynges and dukes. And among all othre, the kyng of Burgone hard say, and was reported to 5 hym by the Erie of Mounte Belyard his cosyn, that Sydon was the fairest and the wysest that any man knewe. Then was the kyng of Burgon so amerous that he myght not endure, bot if he myght haue hi? loue. He desyred to knowe by whome the kyng was gouernyd and in whome he traysted moste; and
10 men told hym it was a knyght called Guenelete. And anoon
he sent to hym grete gyftes, that he shuld labre to the kyng
[*Fol. 187.] of Bretane for hym. And Guenelete was * covetous and
spake to the kyng and said, " Ser, lete marye you? doghtre,
while ye be in hele — and ye shall alie you with sume goode
15 kyng, and then doo ye wysley. Loo he? the kyng of Bur- gone desires to haue hi? ! He is a worthie, and a ryche, kyng. Itt we? folye to refuse hym."
Guenelete said and did so myche, that the kyng spake to his doghtre, and sayd, " Fai? doghtre, I be olde and feble and
20 I haue noo child bot you, and ye be desyred of mony kynges and grete lordes. And I haue herd say ' He that reson refuses, reson wolle goo fro hym; and so he myschevys wyllfully;' — wherof God defende that in this case itt be so doon. Fai? doghtre, the kyng of Burgone desires you, whiche is nevyewe
25 to the kyng of Frawnce, and he is a myghtey, ryche kyng. Me semes he oghte not to be refused ; and as for me, if it please you, I accorde therto." " My Lorde," said she, " as yitt is noo nede forto be maried." " Truly," said the kyng, " ye haue so ofte tymes chalanged,2 and I wot not wherfor ; bot I
30 shall (neuer) love3 you, bot if ye agree you to hym."
1 R, le [Herlant] fist mal du roy. W, heuylorde. What is a heuylordel Per- haps '' a displeased, unresponsive, master." This would tally roughly with R.
2 R, vous mauez tant ccdenge. W, ye haue so longe forborne.
3 MS. few. R, ameray. W , I shall neuer loue you. The context shows clearly that the reading of W is the original.
90 F. J. MATHEK, JR.
She was gretly abasshed of hi? fadre wordes, that we? so harde to here. Then said she, " My Lorde, ye wot wele that the? is noo thyng that ye commawnde me bot that I wolle doo itt. My swete Lorde, I wolle say to you in counsell that 5 I haue a grevaunce and a dysease in me that I dare not tell you, bot itt wolle be Whyssonday or I be hole, and then I shall fullfyll yow commaundemewt." " Wele," said the kyng> " itt suffices me and that terme I wolle yeve you."
And the same Wytsontyd was the ende of the vij yeres
10 comen oute, that was promysed betwen Sydone and Ponthus.
The kyng held hym pleased, and told Guenelete the terme
that she had taken. Guenelete said that itt was wele, and sent
to the kyng of Burgone, and did so myche, that the day of
the mariage was sett the tuysday aftre Whyssontyde.
15 Sydone was passyng sory and sent mony tymes to herkyn of Ponthus and myght here noo glad tithynges of hym, by cause that he had chaunged his name. She was in grete sorow day and nyght. And when the tyme approchied, she was gretly abasshed, and sent for Herland, and sayd, " My
20 true frende, I mervell mych of my lorde my fadre, that he is so fonde of Guenelete — and in suche wyse that he has made hym doo mervellous dedes, as to putt you oute of you? office ; and also by his fals wyles he caused the best and the manliest knyght of Cristeantie to departe oute of the contrey, — that is
25 Ponthus, whiche ye noryshed and taghte thre yeres, whiche ye loue so wele; — and mony vyolente1 dedes he has caused my fadre to doo, as he that is so grete a flatere?, and as decey veable as euer was man ; and in like wyse he caused me to be gy ven to the kyng of Burgone ; agane my wyll — for itt
30 is tolde me that he is evyll condicwuned, fatt, olde, scabbyd, and frentyke. Bot I may not refuse the commawndement of my fadre ; and so I haue taken terme vnto the tuysday aftre
1 MS. vyolence. R, villains fais. W, shamefull thynges. Vyolence myght be a corruption of K's reading, but probably the original was that of O, vaillans fais, which myght well have confused the translator, and have led to the rendering in our text.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 91
Whissontyde. And I wote wele, and Ponthus knewe itt, he wold putt a remedy therin ; and in trouthe the? be noo man in this worlde that I wolde haue dysclosed my counsell to bot to you."
5 " Ma dame," said Herland, " God defend that he cause you to haue any husbond ayeinst you? wolle, or any that has so evyll taches and manors. I shall tell you Ma dame, — Olive?, my sonne, be oon of the kynghtes that Ponthus most louys; and he shall goo into Englond, Scottlond, and Irlonde, and
10 all aboute, and if he live, he shall make hym to come to you." "Ay," said she, " In goode faithe, ye say wele." And anoon Herland spake to his son of this mate?, whiche went with full goode wyll.
And Sydone and Herland charged Olive? with the message
15 and gave hym money enughe for his dyspenses. And * he passed the see and come to Hampton. And he enquered and fonde wele, that vij yere afor that tyme the? come a knyght into Englond — the fairest and the best named in worshipp, and he chaunged1 his name and called hym Surdyte de Droyte
20 Voye. Then Ser Olive? thoght that itt was Ponthus by the signes that he harde, and said to hym self that he chaunged his name for sume cause.
And he and his yomen went furthe, and as they come by a wodde, they mett with thevys ; and by cause they knewe not
25 his languege and sawe hym rychely arrayd, they ran vpon hym and toke frome hym all that he hade and hurted hym ; and he escaped and went fro theym into the wodde to save his live. And the? he soffred hungre and pouertie, dysease — and almost naked. So he way led and sorowed, for he founde
30 noo comforth of his dysease ; bot his tarryng and lettyng greved hym more then dide all his losse and disease. Bot as sone as he myght, he passed the forest and went sekyng his bred for the loue of Gode fro dore to dore, vnto the tyme
1 This lapse into the writer's point of view is only in D. R, Et se nommoit. W, but he named hym. But probably the scribe's eye caught chaunged from the passage below.
92 F. J. MATHEB, JE.
that he come vnto the kynges courte, that same [day], at the aftre noon, that the kyng of Scottes spake vnto Surdyte for the manage of Gene?.
And then Surdyte was at the courte whe? as he beheld the
5 dysportes of yong gentylmen that dyssported theym in dyuers maners. Ser Olive?, the son of Herland, come into the courte almust naked and dysspoled, and as he loked aboute, he sawe Ponthus and knewe hym. Anoon then he come befor hym, knelyng doune, and said, " My Lord Ponthus, God yeve you
10 good grace and long live and encrese you in the worshipp that ye be in." Ponthus, a litle abashed and alf asshamed, said to hym ; " My frende to whome speke ye?" "Ser, said he, " I speke vnto you, for I knowe wele ye be the kynges son of Spayne, that has forgetyn the contree of Bretane. And
15 if I be pouere and naked, I be the son of Herland — Olive?,
which ye sum tyme loved wele; and I be comen to seke you."
And when Ponthus hard that he knewe hym wele, he did
from hym his mantell and cast itt vpon hym and toke hym
in his armes and kyssed hym, wepyng, and myght speke no
20 worde to hym. And then he led hym into the chaumbre and lenyd bothe vpon a beddes syde. And when he myght speke, he said, "Ay, swete trusty frende and brothre, how doo they in that contrey, and who dysspoyled you thus?" And he said that he had mett with thevys. Grete wepyng was betwen
25 theym twoo. And Ponthus did array hym newe with the beste arayment that he had ; and when he was fully arrayd, he semed a full fai? knyght to see. And then he told hym what p[er]elle he was in, among thevys, and howe he escaped and begged his brede fro dore to dore; and told also that
30 Guenelete had all the covrte in revoll, and that Jje1 kyng loued hym most of any man, and howe he had putt oute his fadre fro his office ; and aftre told hym howe Sydone wold not assent to noo mariage, and of the grete dysease that she had soffred, — and att the farthrest, she myght not lenge?
35 abide vnmaried, bot to the tuysday aftre Whitsontyd, and
1 Entered in a different hand above the line.
KING PONTHUS AND THE PAIR SIDONE. 93
that then she shuld be maryed to the kyng of Burgon, the
which be full evyll condiciouned, — " bot Guenelete causes
itt, for he has taken myche gold of hym. Sydone sendes to
you prayng you to sett a remedye therin, for all the loue that
5 be betweyn you twoo." And when Ponthus herd the grete
loue and travthe of his lady, the teres fell doune from his
eyne; and said, and God wold vouchesaue, that he wold
[*Fol. 188.] (Sett) a remedy therin. So they spake enughe * to gedre of
mony thynges.
10 [Cap. XXVI. How Ponthus retorned to Litle Bretayn ; and there he chaunged gounes with a pouere pylgreme, and went to the feste of the kyng of Burgone and of Sydone. How Sydone gaue drynk to hym, as to a pouere man, and she knewe hym by the ryng that he lete fall into
15 the cupp. How Ponthus come dysgysed to the iustyng
whe? as of aventure he slewe the kyng of Burgone.]
The tithynges come thorow oute the courte that the? was comen a man fro Litle Bretan that knewe Ponthus, which named hym self Surdyte. When the kyng and the
20 courte herd this, they had mych mervell, and the kyng said to the queue and to the kyng of Scottes, •'' Me thoght euer that he was of hyghe? degre then he said he was, for the noble dedes that he dyd and for the goodnes of hym." "Ay," said the queue, " I mervell not thogh he wolle not take ou?
25 doghtre in maryege, for I haue herd say that he loues ou? cosyn Sydon of Bretan withouten any vyllanye." " Truly," said the kyng, " it may wele be, when he wolle not marye hym self in this contrey."
When they went to soppe?, Ponthus come into the hall
30 and his knyght with hym, which was ryght wele arrayd with riche clothes of sylk furryd with sables, and he was ryght fai? to see. The kyng of Englond and the kyng of Scottes went ayeinst hym. And then he said to Ponthus, " Wherfor haue ye so long celed you frome vs, and said that ye we? a
94 F. J. MATHER, JR.
pouere knyght sonne, and ye be a kynges son ? Thus we be dysceyved and has not doon to you the worshipp that we ought to doo to you ; bot ye be worthie to haue the blame, for in good faith, we haue not doon itt bot of ignorance."
•5 And when Ponthus sawe the gentyllnes of the kyng, he said, "All thogh it be so, that I be a kynges son, it is bot litle worth ; for a man dysheryte ought full litle to prase l hyra selfe." "Ay," said the kyng, " save you? bettre advice, (he) that has the noblenes, wytt, beautie, and bountie — with the
10 goode maners and the worthenes that is in you, is more worth than a reaume ; for ye be aquanted with goode frendes, that, by the grace of Godde, ye may conque? you? awn agane, and mony othre." Ponthus was asshamed therwith and turned the tayle into an othre made?.
15 The kyng made hym to sytt betwen the quene and his doghtre, whethre he wold or not. Aftre soppe? they went to dyssporte theym in a garthyn. Ponthus come to the kyng and sent for the kyng of Scottes, for the kyng of Irlond, for the kyng of Cornewale, and for mony othre lordes and
20 barounes ; and they sett theym in an herbe?. And then Ponthus sayd, " My Lorde, and all my lordes, and frendes, I wold make a request of a thyng that I haue doon."2 And said, howe the sowdeyn sonnes has wered vpon the Cristen, and by the grace of God two of theym we? distroyed ; and
25 howe the thirde revoled hym in his contrey of Spayne — and by engyne entred into the londe and scaled the citee of Colloigne ; and tolde theym the myschief that the londe stode in ; — and howe his fadre was slayne ; and howe that a goode prest that taghte hym and xiij childre, and3 hyd
30 theym in a cave moo then3 two days withouten mete or
1 R, se doit pou priser.
2 R, une requests de man fait, is mistranslated by D, correctly rendered by W, — of a nedefutt mater of myne.
3 MS. And moo had then in a cave theym. R, Et les cela deux iours. W, hydde. The emendation will appear violent, but it all follows from the substitution of hyd for had. I interchange theym and moo then, the illogical and at the head of the clause is allowed to stand, for such constructions are not un- common in the text.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 95
drynke ; and as the wolfe goos oute of the wodd for hungre, so the xiij went oute of the cave and we? taken as son as they went oute; and howe the knyght saued theym. And also he told howe the shipp brake ayeinst a rokkete of the
5 see; and how they arrived in Litle Bretan; and all the maner howe they we? saved. And as he told his tale, the teres ran doune frome mony of the lordes eyen, to he? the perell and the sorowe that they had escaped.
And when that he had tolde theym all the matie?, he said
10 that he wold goo into the contrey of Spayne to conque? his
awn ryght, by the grace of God, — "for I thonke hym I haue
ben in the fellyschipp of theym that has dystroyed twoo of
the sowcleyn sonnes ; so the? be noon of ly ve bot the thirde,
f*Fol 188b 1 wn^cne holdes the roialme that shuld be myn. And I vndre-
15 stond that the roialme is wele and wysly gouerned, * and that they haue slayne bot fewe people ; for they be made tribu- torye and euery hede pays a besaunt of gold, and for the grete goode that they pay, they soffre euerych of theym to holde and to kepe the lawe that theym best likes." "Ser,"
20 said the kyng, " I offre me with all myn hertt to goo with you, althogh I be olde, with my people and my goode." " Ser," said Ponthus, " God yeld it you."
The kyng of Scottes and the othre kynges, erles, and barounes, offred theym to goo with hym. And Ponthus
25 thonked the kynges and the lordes of thei? goode and grete worshipp that they offred hym, and said that he wold haue noon bot men of armes and souldioures, aboute the noumbre of xijML, — " the whiche I wolle wage, for I thonke God I haue god enughe." And he said sothe, for at the last batell
30 he founde enughe in Corbatan shippes — so myche that itt was grete mervell to see, for he had grete payne to noumbre itt. And wold noo thyng take bot the best knyghtes and men or armes, aboute the noumbre aboue said. And ordaned ship- pyng and sowded theym, so that they held theym plesyd and
36 they had ioye to goo with hym. Also he desired to haue the Erie of Gloucestre, the Erie of Richemound, the Erie
96 F. J. MATHER, JE.
of Darby, to be eaptaynes of the Englyschmen — and they graunted with goode wyll — the Erie of Darsy,1 the Erie of Dace,1 for the Scottes, and he had an erle of euery contrey forto warne 2 the people of the contrey.
5 And then they toke leve of the kynges and of the lordes and went to shipp and pulled vp thei? sales and departed with grete ioy fro the porte of Hampton. And the kyng desired that he shuld come agane as sone as he myght. And he thonked hym of the grete worschip that he had doon hym.
10 The kyng of Scottes, the kyng of Irlond, and the kyng of Cornewale convened theym to shipp and toke theyr leue, full sore wepyng. And the kyng of Irlond said vnto Pouthus, "Ay fai? frende, now see I wele that ye loue me not, sith that ye haue doon me so myche goode that I ne all my reaume
15 may not deserve itt, and now wolle not let me goo with you to helpe you." " Ser," said Ponthus, " God thonke you. I refuse not you? helpe, aftre that I haue iiede in my iourney, bot I wolle not haue you with me as nowe, ne noon of myn othre lordes, vnto the tyme that I kuowe the mane? of the
20 contrey — and for othre certan causes. Then they kyssed to gedre and toke leve aythre at othre.
Thus departed Ponthus and his arrnye fro the costes of Englond and saled day and nyght vnto the tyme that they come neghe to Vennys. And then he ordaned his grete navie
25 to abide in the highe see, and said that he wold that the? were asspyed no moo bot xv 3 shippes, and that they shuld make theym like marchaundes of salt, to come into the towne. So he ordaned full wele his dooyng, and toke certayn vesselles with hym, in the which we? iij C wele fightyng men • and made
30 theym to londe be nyght in a grete wodd betwyn Amroy4 and Vennys ; and charged theym that they shuld not be farre of, vnto the tyme that they had tithynges fro hym, and that
1 R, Le conle dars et le sire de Duglas, nothing is said about the Scots* W mentions only — Of the scottes the Erie of Douglas. 8 R, gouuerner. W, gouerne. 3R, xl. W, a forty. 4R, roye. W, Auroy.
KING PONTHDS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 97
they shuld come when they we? sent for. This was the mone- day in Whitsontyde, and the tuysday shuld be the weddyng of Sydone and of the kyng of Burgone.
Ponthus leped to hors and toke hot a yoraan with hym. 5 The tuysday erly, as he rode, he founde a pylgreme that had his govne sved full of patches and a cappe full of broches. And anoon he lyght doune and said to the pylgreme, " Frende we wolle chaunge ou? govnes and I wolle haue your cappe and ye shall haue myn." "Ay Ser," said the pylgreme, " ye
10 scorne me." " In goode faith, that doo I not," said Ponthus. [*Fol. 189.] And * so they chaunged. And Ponthus did vpon hym the pylgreme govne, his hatt, and his hosen ; and toke the Bur- done that he ba? in his honde. And his yoman said vnto hym, "Ser, ye be oute of you? wytt. Why chaunge ye you?
15 riche array with this pouere clothyng?" "Hold thy peace," said Ponthus, "and holde thes twoo horses att the tounes ende, and remeve not vnto the tyme that I come to the."
And then he went furth his way whe? as the kyng of Bur- gone was ; and anoon aftre he sawe his somers and his horses
20 come with his officers ; and aftre he sawe the kyng rydyng on a palfrey all blak. And the kyng and Guenelete rode talkyng to gedre. As they rode furth, Ponthus said to theym, " Loo he? be twoo wele uoryshed ! — for bothe twoo has goode fatt belles, and wele fed. Ay Sainte Mary !" said he to Guene-
25 lete, " you? bellye has getten mony fatt soppys of courte." l Guenelete waxed rede for shame and was full wroth and turnyd his hors and said, "Begga?, what says thou?" aud was aboutward to srnyte hym with a tronchon that he ba? in his honde. And Ponthus turned his burdone and said that
30 he shuld make his berd,2 and he tovched hym. Then the kyng of Burgone said to Guenelete, "Leve ye this trowane, for ye can haue no worshipp of hym." And so they passed furth toward the courte. And Ponthws, that louyd theym not, playd the foell befor theym and mokked theym as they rode.
1 W adds with R, ye are full well ihapen to be a veray grele flaiercr of the courte. * R, dial qui luifera so. barbe.
7
98 F. J. MATHER, JR.
And euer Ponthus foloed theym to they come to the courte. And when he sawe men entre in at the gate, he foloed in afire theym. And the porte? wold haue putt hym oute, hot Ponthus shote hym so fro hym that he made hym fall ; and 5 said to hym that he was oon of the xiij pouere men that was chosen. " Goo ! A myschemnce come to the ! " said he, " Thou be a strong begge?."
At that tyme itt was the custome at the weddyng of grete astates, the? shuld be xiij pouere men ordanyd, the which
10 shuld sitt at mett befor the bride at a table by theym selfe — in the worshipp of God and of his xij apostelles.1 And afire the dynne?, she that was maryed shuld yeve drynke to eueryche of the pouere men, in a copp of golde. And thus went Pon- thus and satt doune for oon of the xiij.
15 The fest was grete and of mony dyuers seruices, Ponthws ete bot litle and beheld ofte tymes his lady Sydone, which was bot of simple chere, and all be-wepte ; for Guenelete told hi? that Ponthus was deyd in Irlonde — and she trowed itt bot a litle. When the tables was taken vp, they led Sydone
20 to hi? chaumbre to chaunge hi? arayment and hi? attyre, forto goo to the scafoldes to see the iustes and the dyssportes. And in the comyng to hi? chaumbre the? was a gallerye, in the which we? the xiij pouere men. And ther was ordaned twoo gentyllwommen — that oon had a potte of syluer full of wyne,
25 that othre hade a cupp of golde — and wated vpon Sydone. And when she come, she gave drynke to euery pouere man — and Ponthus was the last. And as he dranke he lete fall the ryng with the diamaunte, that Sydone yeave hym at thei? furst aqwcrntance, into the cupp ; and when he had dronken,
30 he sayd softly to Sydone, " Madame, I pray you to drynke this litle for the loue of Ponthus." And when she harde the name of Ponthus, itt reiosed hi? gretly and she toke the cupp and dranke; and in hi? drynkyng she sawe the ryng a[nd]
1 This custom of having poor men at the feast is dismissed with a word in W, nor is the reason for the custom given. The description in the text follows R literally.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 99
knewe itt wele anoon and was ravysshed for ioye, so that she
wyst not wele what she dyd. And then she called hi? daraesell
Ellious and said to hi? in counsell, that she shuld lede the
grete pouere man afire hi? into hi? warderopp; and so she
5 led hym with hi?. And thos othre pouere men demyd that
she wold yeve hym sum maner of gyftes for the lone of God.
And when she was in hi? warderopp, and noo moo with
[*Fol. 189b.] hi? hot he and Ellyous — and he * was dysgysed, that noo
man myght knavv hym — with grete payne Sydone spake furst
10 and said, " Swete frende, who betoke you thys ryng that I fonde in the cupp ? " " Wote ye not," said he, " to whome ye gave itt?" " Yis," said she, "ryght wele. Bot is he deid or on live ? — I pray you tell me truly." Said he, " He is on live, Madame, trowed ye that he was deid?" "Yea, sothely,"
15 said she, " for Guenelete and mony othe? told me so." "And if ye see hym, what wold ye say?" said he. "I may say," said she, " that I had neuer so mych ioy in my hertt, as I shuld haue then." When he hard that, he said no more, hot rubbed a litle his vyssage that he had peynted ; and anoon
20 she knewe hym. and said, "Ay, ye be Ponthus ! and ther is noo thyng in this world that I loue more, aftre God and my fadre." Then they had gret ioy and cleped and kyssed to gedre.
And then he said to assey hir pacience, " Ma dame I be
25 ryght wele pleased that ye be so wele and rychely maryed." "Ay," said she, " my swete frende, I pray you nomor therof, for he lives not that I wolle haue, bot you, if itt pleasse you to haue me, — the whiche I swe? to you and has sworne ofte tymes, with mouthe and hertt, — for the laste promys avayles
30 not, bot oonly the furste." "Ay Madame," said he, "thinke ye neuer to take so pouere man, beggyng his bred, and for to leve a ryche kyng. I shall neuer counsell you, to acquyte my trouthe, to leve hym." Then said she, "Truly my ewete frende, I wolle neuer haue othre bot you, for I shall neuer be
35 wele att ease, — bot a thowsant tymes mor at ease to soffre in you? companye the mysease and the povertie that ye soffre,
100 F. J. MATHER, JR.
then to haue all the ryches of the world with the myghteyst kyng that is ; for that pouertie that God has sent you is hot to assay you, — that may aftre yelde you rytches ' and wor- shipp double folde if ye putt nolle you? trust to hym. 5 When Ponthus hard the grete trouthe and stedfastnes of hi?, the teres fell doune from his eeyn, and aftre he smyled a litle, and said, " Madame, by my trouthe the? was neuer foude a bettre, a faire?, ne a more stedfaste lady then ye be ; and sith I see you? grete trauthe, I wolle hyde no thing
10 frome you no lenge?. For I tell you for trouthe, that I haue more gold and sylner and precious stones viij2 tymes told, than euer had my fadre ; and also I haue xijM1 men of armes, sowded and payd for alf a ye?, forto goo and conque? my contrey that was my fadres. And dysmay you not for I shall
15 tell you what ye shall doo ; ye schall goo to the scafoldes to see the iustes and ye shall take with you Pollides my cosyn, and my fellawes, so that the[i] be aboute you ; and itt shall not be long bot I shall see you. I may no lengre tarrye with you." Then they kyssed 3 and departed.
20 And he went furth haltyng and come to his yoman, that abode hym, and toke his hors and rode to the wodd whe? he had lefte his people. And when they sawe hym, they knewe hym not ; and they went to haue taken hym for a spye. Bot he began to laghe and said, "I am Ponthus;" and then they
25 knewe hym. And the Erie of Gloucestre said, " Ser, ye had almost doon you a vylleny. How be ye thus dysgised?" " Ser," said he, " I haue doon itt for a cause that I wold not be knawne." And then he sett theym in ordenawnce, aftre the noumbre of xl knyghtes, all of oon suyte, — of the worthiest
30 of his companye. And he told theym his entent. 4And then they come rydyng by x and by x thorow the stretes, so that it was grete ioy to see.4 And then the Bretanes had grete
*An unfinished h is changed to c. * W, seuen. K, sept.
3 K, Si locale et encore ne losa baiser ne Requerre. W, And toke his leue and folde her in hi* armes & halsed her /and yet durste not kysse no desyrefor to kysse her.
4 This sentence is found neither in W nor in R.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 101
mervell, and the Burgones bothe, what men they we?, that we? so wele armed and so wele besene.
And by that tyme Sydone was comen to the scafold with [*Fol. 190.] mony fai? ladys and gentyllwommen. * And Pollides toke
5 the reyne of hi? bridle and convehed hi? to the scafoldes,1 — for the whiche Guenelete was inwardly wroth, that Sydon had commeranded hym to doo so. And Sydone told Pollides that he shuld se his cosyn Ponthus. Then Pollides had full grete ioy in his hertt and told all his fellawes, and they had
10 full grete ioy in they? hertes of the tithynges.
Also it nedes not to aske whethre that Sydone was ryght ioyfull in hi? hert or not. And when sche saw Ponthus so large, so wele armed, and so wele syttyng vpon his hors, — and lusted rowe by rowe, and threwe doune knyghtes and
15 horses, and brake mony sperys, and did mervellously, — Sydone waxed rede a litle for ioye and said, " Se ye hym that is armyd in purpyll and asure, and has a white ladye in his creste holdyng 2 a lyon enchyned — and the lyon has lettres of golde, whiche says 'God helpe'3 — and has aboute xl fellawes
20 of his suyte, savyng they haue no lettres of gold ; — for he wM the lettres of gold is Ponthus, and the othre be his fellawes." "Ay Ma dame," said Pollides, " I knowe it wele by his rydyng and by his dedes of arrnes." Then Pollides schewed hym to his fellawes, the which held theym nyght*
25 Sydone, like as she had commawnded theym.
The kyng of Burgone come into the feld vpon a grete stede of Spayne, and he was wysly arrayd and wele armed, and he had aboute xxx5 knyghtes of his suyte. Euerych they? speres raysed redye, and began to spu? and to iuste by
30 rowe with the Bretanes that held the fest.
Then Ponthus sawe the kyng of Burgonne and dressed hym toward hym and his fellyschipp. And then they ouer-
'An erasure, some six letters long, follows scafoldes in the MS. 2 MS. holdyyng.
3W misrenders, — God hdpe the fourly felawes. R, dieu aide. 4 See the glossary for the similar forms neghlboures and hight. 6 W, forty. E, xx. O, xxx.
102 F. J. MA THEE, JR.
threw knyghtes and horses, so that euerych of theym were abasshed. The kyng of Bretan, which was on the scalfold with the ladys and olde knyghtes, asked whoo that thoos grete knyghtes we?, and what he was that had his lady in his 5 sheld, which holdes a lyon enchyned with lettres of gold, — and has so mony fellowes of oon suyte. And eueryche said, they knew hym not, — " hot he doos mervelles, for he otier- reches noon hot that he throwes theyrn doune." "See ye not," sayd oon, "how he ouerthrowes knyghtes and horses,
10 and what mervelles he doos ? " " He is an aduersarye," said the grete ladyes. " Sothely he is a goode knyght," said the Lady of Doule, the which was both fai? and wyse. " I sawe neuer knygth," said she, " doo so wele on hors bak, ne mor like to Ponthus, — of whoes savle God haue mercy. Amen."
15 Then said the kyug to Sydone, " Fai? doghtre, I wold not the knyght met with you? housbond, lest he threwe hym doune, or distroyd hym ; for his strokes be mervellous sore and grete." "Ser," said she, "and he be wyse, he wolle kepe hym from hym, for he be a full hardy knyght, and ryght
20 manly." They made grete languege of Ponthus and of his
knyghthod, bot all we? abasshed of hym, what he myght be.
He tarryed not long ; bot of aventure he encountered the
kyng of Burgon and smote his hors with the spurrys and
smote the kyng myghtely in the sheld, — and the spere was
25 grete and strong, and he handeled itt as he had strenght and hardenes enughe, and in esspeciall forto doo dedes of armes befor his lady, which of long tyme had not seen hi?; — so this stroke was so grete that he felled hym doune vppon the crowpe? of his 1 stede and made hym to lose the reynes of his
30 brydle.2 And the horse was yong and strong and ba? hym
1 After his, sadle stands in the MS. cancelled by the rubricator.
2 From here to the end of the paragraph D follows K literally. W shows a curious confusion, which makes both Ponthus and the kyng attempt to leap the pit and, apparently, both fall in, — and that other was yong and strong and bare hym backwarde &fell into a grete pylt full of stones and Ponthus wende for to haue leple ouer/but they fell in so sore the kynge vndernethe all that he was
deed and his hors deed. W omits also the final clause of the paragraph.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 103
furl h and with grete myght leped into a pytt full of stones, wenyng1 to haue leped ouer, and fell in so marvellously, and the kyng vndre hym, that the hors was deid, and vnnes the kyng myght haue confession.
5 Burgonnes we? wrothe and sorofull for they? lorde, for
euery body cryed — " The Duke 2 of Burgone is deid." Pon-
[*Fol. 190b.] thus hard itt,. which roght hot * litle. And nomore dide
Sydone. Ponthus and his fellawes light doune of they?
horses, and went vp vnto the scafold and did vp his helme,
10 so that euery man knewe hym. And then he come to Sydon and toke hi? by the honde and said, " Ma dame, ye must be my p/t'sonner, bot ye schall haue goode prisonement." She waxed rede for shame and had more ioye then any man couthe thinke, and said, "If I shuld be prisonne?, itt behoves
15 me to endu?."
The kyng was comen doune of the scafold, full sory for the kynges dethe, bot when he wyst that itt was Ponthus that dide all the raervelles and that he had taken his doghtre, he had grete ioy, and said, "God has ordaned that he shall haue
20 my doghtre, and we may not gyf hi? to a bettre knyght. Truly in hym be so mych worschipp that he is able to haue the kynges doghtre of Fraunce. Bot truly I wenyd that he had ben deid, as sume men made me to vndrestond." Then he came toward Ponthus, his arrays spredyng, and said that he
25 was right welcome. And Ponthus bowed doune to hym and said, "As Gode live, God yeve to you my souerene lorde, as ye haue of me, grete ioye." Then the barounes and the ladyes both made myche of hym. And his cosyn Pollides and his othre fellowes welcomed hym with grete ioye. And Guene-
30 lete made grete ioye in his countenawnce, bot not in his hertt. The people of the contrey thanked God and said, " God has
^After wenyng a superfluous to haue is cancelled by the rubricator.
•Elsewhere always Kyng, but E and H have consistently It, Due. W, ye newe wedded kynge is deed, E, le bruit fu que le marie estoit mart. The lapse shows pretty clearly that the original of D used Duke throughout, and that the change to Kyng in D and W is arbitrary.
104 F. J. MATHER, JR.
sent vs a goode knyght that wolle kepe vs frome ou? enemes." Grete was the ioye of that aventure.
Poathus keped with hym all the lordes of Englond, and so did Sydone, and made theym grete chere — and specially the 5 Erie of Gloucestre, that was a full goode knyght. And asked hym how his cosyn the kyng fared. The Erie said, " Ryght wele, blessed be God ; " and told the kyng of the mervelles and of the aventures of the kyng of Englond ; — and how by Ponthus he toke and ouercome the kyng of Irloud ; — and
10 how he toke hym among his men and ba? hym away, whethre he wold or noo ; — and how he raunsouned hym not bot made peace betwen theym ; — and howe that by Ponthus was sleyn the son of the sawdeyn, called Corbatan, and the? was so myche tresoitr with hym that itt was mervell to here tell therof, for
15 he had not cessed xij ye? afore to pyll the iles of Cristendome that he myght ouercome. Also he told hym howe Ponthus named hym Surdyte de Droyte Voy, and said he was bot a pouere knyght son. When the kyng herd that he named hym soo, [he thoght it was]1 by cause itt was putt vpon hym, that
20 he lovyd in vylanye, and the sureuome that he toke was by cause that he offred hym to fyght with ij or with iij in the quarell, and myght not be soffred. Also the Erie told hym howe the kyng of Eugloud offred to hym Gene? his eldest doghtre, and to be kyng (of) Englond aftre his discesse, and
25 duryng his live to be honored of all the reaume ; — and how he disp rased hym selfe and wold not thereof; — and howe by a knyght that was evyll clethed he2 was known — and that was Olive? the son of Herland ; — and howe the kyng and all the courte was asshamed that they had doon hym no mor wor-
30 shipp, sith that he was a kynges son.
Itt did the kyng of Bretan myche goode to here hym, and yitt more goode to his doghtre, and to the barounes that there were; for it was a noble thyng to here of. And aftre the Erie had said, the barounes come to the kyng, and said, *' Se?,
1 R, Si pensa que cestoit pour ce quit, etc. 2 R, qui estoit tout nu. W, a naked knyght.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 105
what thinke ye to doo? Lete hastely speke to Ponthus to
take you? doghtre, and so shall ye and you? contrey be keped
in peace; for we doute vs gretly that he wolle not take hi?,
r*F 1 191 1 b6031186 °f the kynges doghte? of Englond, for itt is myche
5 bettre mariege then this is ; also he has so grete tresou? that * he settes not by noo daungerous lordes." Sayd the kyng, " I pray you all to thinke theron for ther be noo thyng that I desire so myche — for the? fell neuer grettre goode to me, ne worshipp." Then the barounes spake to gedre ; and the
10 Vicounte of Leon was charged vtiih the matie? ; and he went to Ponthus and said full wysely, ho we he had furst ben savyd in Bretan, and howe the kyng loued hym wele, and howe by lies and envye the kyng had ben wroth with hym, and howe that the kyng is olde and beleved a tale lyghtly — and that
15 the? is noo body bot that he has sume tache, — and that the kyng with all the wyll of his londe offred hym his doghtre, and to be kyng afire hym. Ponthus, the which desyred noon othre thyng, said, God yelde itt the kyng and all his londe ; and that he is the furst lorde that so myche goode and wor-
20 shipp did hym ; and that he myght neuer deserve itt vnto hym ; thogh he we? of havyng and of pusaunce to haue the myghtiest lady of the worlde, he wold (not) take hi? — to refuse Sydone ; and that he is beholden to the kyng, to the barounes, and to the contrey, aboue all othre people. The
25 barouues had grete ioye of the answe? and told the kyng therof, and he was ryght glad.
Then he sent for the byschop and lete hondfest theym. And the monday aftre was the weddyng. And it nedes not to aske if Ponthus and Sydone we? glad, and an hundreth
30 tymes more then they made sernblaunce. Grete ioye the? was thorowe oute all Bretane of this assemble.
Ponthus, which was wyse, keped not to be blamed of 1100 man. He excused hym to Guy Burgonne, the kynges brothre of Burgonne, and to the Erie of Mounte Belliard, the which
35 we? cornen thedre, and said to theym that he was full sory of that aventure that befell, of the kynges dethe ; — " for sothly
106 F. J. MATHER, JR.
when I lusted with hym I knewe not what he was." And they beleved hym wele, and that itt was bot aventure of arrnes, and that he myght1 not doo thertoo.1 And he offred hym gretly to theym ; and on the morowe he lete ordeyn for 5 hym a full fair1 seruice and gave iiij2 penes sterlinges to euery pouere man that come thedre, and they had neuer afore seen so fai? an almus. So he was gretly prased ; and the kynges frendes thonked hym myche, and said that they wer myche be-h olden to hym. The bodye was embawmed and3 chisted;
10 and the? was ordaued fai? horses to carye hym to his con- tree; and Ponthus convehed the corps iij4 myles with grete torches and did hym as myche worshipp as he couthe, not- withstondyng he was bot litle displeased with his deth. So with grete payne the lordes of Burgonne made hym to
15 retourne, and toke leve eueryche of othre, and they prased gretly Ponthus and said, that was a verray knyght aboue all othre; of worthenes, larges, curtesie, and louyng God and the chirch, noo man myght passe hym as they[m] semed varrely; and said that God loved hym, when he ordaned hym, so wele
20 manured,5 so wele gouerned, and vertuously disposed.
[Cap. XXVII. How Ponthus made a maundement of the barounes and knyghtes for to goo into Gal ice to conquer his contrey, that the Saresyns helde.J
POnthus retourned to Vennys and come to Sydone and iaped with hi? and asked hi? if she we? oght displeased with hym, because that he had deliueryd hi? of hir housbond. And she waxed rede and said, " Ser, itt is perilous to doo dedes of armes with you, but yitt I conne you thonke for that ye
1 This idiom is also in W. It appears to mean " He couldn't have helped it." The rendering departs from It's, et que nul ne sen deumt en riens merueiller.
* W. Hi. d. R, trois esterlins.
3 W, and layde in a chayre. R, et porte en ung chariot.
* R, 6 ten trois lieucs. W, well a .vi. myle. 5 MS. manered hym. Om. hym.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 107
haue doone." " Ma dame," said Ponthus, " the thynges that be doone may not be vndoone."
Then he went to the kyng and to the baronnes, and said,
[*Fol.l91b.] "Sens, ye haue herd say that I haue an * armye to conque?,
5 with helpe of God, my roialme, whiche the Saresyns holdes
fro me. So I wolle haue, if itt please you, sume people of you?
contrey that wolle take wages, and I wolle pay theym with
full goode wyll to All Halowe l day, before the houde." "Ay,
swete, fai? son, ye shall not aske, bot take my people," said
10 the kyng, "at you? own wyll to conque? you? contrey, and take my tresou? with you, all that I hane ; and if itt please you, I wolle conne you myche thonke to lete me goo in you? companye, for I be olde and itt shall be noo grete losse of me — ne in bettre seruice myght I not dye, for my saule is then
15 in Godes seruice." Ponthus thonked hym then//and said, "Att this tyme ye shall not goo, bot kepe ye this contrey ; and I wolle noon of you? goodes, for God has sent me enugh for this iourney ; bot I wolle haue of you? people, for I trast most to theym afor all othre." The barounes and the knyghtes
20 had grete ioye of that iourney, and euery man desired to goo with hym.
And he bad that euery man shuld be redy within xx 2 days at Vennys ; and he ordaned by all contres for shippes and vitell. And that day euery man arrayd hym wele and gar-
25 nysshed theym of men in the best wise they couthe. Ponthus said to the Barounes of Anioti and to othre neghtboures, as to Geffray de Lazynyen and Andrewe de La Tou? aboue all othre, for itt was told hym that they we? comen late oute of of the contrey whe? they had bene twoo yere in were vpon the
30 Saresyns, — "Ay," said Ponthus, " they be ryght goode knyghtes and noble men of armes, and he is wele at ease that has theym in his companye."
Then the leitres come to theym and to mony othre of dyuers contrees aboute. The messyngers departed. And when they herd thes tithynges and the cause to goo vpon the Saresyns,
1 B, a la torn sains. W,/or halfe a yere. * R, xv iours. W, .xv.
108 F. J. MATHER, JR.
that held his roialme, they had grete ioy to goo and euery man ordaned hym to goo to that iourney.
[Cap. XXVIII. Of the grete presente that Ponthus made to Sydone on the day before the weddyng ; and of his vowe 5 that he wold not marye hir vnto he had conquered agane his reaume of Galice.]
And aftre, Ponthus sent for his grete shipp and lete bring furth therof parte of the riches the day before his weddyng. And then he sent a preseute to Sydone of crounes,
10 cronocles,1 chappeletes, gyrdles of perles and precius stones, gybsers of purpyll with perle, furres of sables, armyns, and of gray, and of othre i[e]welles that itt was mervell to see the riches that the? we?, for they we? prased to more value then x 2 thovsand besantes of golde. The kyng said to his doghtre,
15 " Ye be not marled to a prince disherite ; bot God has sent you a goode, a fai?, and a ryght noble lorde. So ye ought gretly to thonke hym of his grace."// And aftre, he gave to the kyng mony fai? iewelles, precius stones, cuppys of gold ; and to eueryche of theym that we? barounes and lordes of
20 Bretan, a gyfte of golde, aftre they? astate. And he was gretly prased for his grete larges.
The day of his weddyng the lordes of Englond, Scotlond, and of Irlond we? noblely arrayd, and of Bretan also, which did hym worshipp. The feste was grete, and there was grete
25 ioye of herodes and of mynstrelles withoute noumbre, and Pouthus gave theym grete gyftes. Ther was mony straunge metes and drynkes. Ponthus made a vowe which was mych spoken of, for he said thus, " Bycause the people of the courte shuld not say that the kyng had gyven his doghtre to a man
30 withouten livelode,3 I make myn avowe to God, that I neuer
1 Coronets. See the Oxford Diet, for cronide and coronade. W, serdes.
* K, xx. W, Ihyrty.
3E, terre. W, londe. K adds, — le voue que iamais ne coucheray en son lit lusques a ce que ie soye sires du royaume quifu mon pere. W translates literally adding, & crowned or elles I shall dye therfore. To this omission, D sacrifices the significance of the vow.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SLDONE. 109
kyssed hi? requiryng vylleny, when I went oute of this con-
treye, ne I thoght neuer to doo othre wyse to hi?, then I myght
to myn awn rnodre." And he said that, because of the wordes
r*Fol 192 ] *nat *be kyng sa*d to nym when he departed oute of Bretayne.
5 When Sydone herd thes// * wordes, she had grete ioye in hi?
hertt and loued hym myche bettre. So that was myche spoken
of, for sume sayd that he was a trewe knyght, and sume said
that he wold not abyde so long vnmaryed, bot that he hoped
to haue sume solace of hi? and she in like wyse of hym. Then
10 said the kyng, " In goode faith, I be a verray coward to beleve
so lyghtely a lesyng that I haue herd.
[Cap. XXIX. How Ponthus departed from Bretayn to go conquer his contrey; and howe he found in a chappell the Erie of Destrue, that was his vncle, and Ser Patryk 15 that afore tyme saved hym ; and how by their counsell
he wanne the grete batell and slewe the kyng Brodas and took the toune of Colloigne; and how the land of Galice was clensed of the Saresyns.]
The feste was grete and the kyng wold not that they had noo iustys, for the aventure that the kyng of Burgonne was deid, lest any myschief myght happen, bot he made theym to daunce and to syng and mad mony newe dissportes// Att nyght Ponthus come into the chaumbre of Sydone and said to hi?// "Ay my swete frende, my loue and my ioye, my
25 hertt and all the sustenawnce of my live, I haue ben hasty to the v6we that I haue made, bot in goode (faithe),1 I did itt for ou? worshipp, for the wordes that has ben said afor this tyme. T["Bot in trouthe I soffre more disease then any man on live doos in like case, for the grete desire that I haue to be betwen
30 you? armes. Bot by the grace of God I shall be in shorte tyme, for itt be oon of the grettest desires that myn hertt (has)."2 If "My swete lorde and loue, wytt ye wele that all you? desi? be myn, ne we ought to desi? noo thyng bot that
*W,fayth. R, en bonne fay. SW, hath. B, ait.
110 F. J. MATHER, JR.
shuld turne to goode fame; so ye haue doone ryght wele — for evyll sayers." Thus spake they enughe to gedre and aftre they clipped and kyssed to gedre and conforted aythre othre. And thus the fest lasted xv days.
5 ^[And when all was doon, he mustred his people. And the Bretanes we? by estimacion iiijM1 and v C men of armes ; and of the Normanes xij C all redy — and we? payd for vj monethes. Itt was a fai? sight to see theym all to gedre, with the men of Englond.
10 Ponthus toke leve of the kyug and of Sydon. And by grete flaterye Guenelete laboured so that he abode with the kyng and with Sydone as gouernou? of theym ; and Ponthus betoke hym a grete part of his tresou? to kepe. So ther was wepyng enughe at the departyng of Ponthus and of Sydone
15 and of hi? gentyllwomen. Ponthus kyssed hi? and betoke hi? the moste parte of his tresoure to kepe.
And then he departed and went by londe and passed by Namptes and1 yelde hym to the havyn of the toure of Dor- bendelle,1 whe? as was a grete navye ; for the? arrived Geffray
20 de Lazynyen and Andrewe de La Toure, whiche had a grete fellishipp. And Ponthus receyved theym with grete ioye as for twoo of the best knyghtes, that he loued, and gave theym grete gyftes. And aftre arrived Guyllem de Roches and othre moo of dyuers contrees. Ponthus gave theym mony
25 grete gyftes, so that they mervelled of his grete larges and said, "He is worthie to gouerne and to conque? all the worlde by his curtesie and fai? gouernaunce." And of his largenes he made to deliuer shippes to the capteyns, aftre they? people //and itt was not long to all we? shipped. And itt was a fai?
30 syght to see the sales to gedre, for itt semed a forest.
They had wynd att wyll and passed the He of Lyon.2 When they we? iiij3 myles fro Colleyn, then Ponthus lete
1 W, <fe came to sable danlon & to derbendelles. R, Et se rendit es salles de la tour dorbendelle.
8 W, yle of doloron. Not in R. O, lisle dauleon. 3 W, a .vi. R, trois lieues.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. Ill
caste anco? and sayd to the captanes// " Itt behoues vs to
entre into the contrey toward Colloigne I myle or twoo thens
and lete withdrawe the navye, for I wold not they knewe
on? powa? — for mony causes." So they ordaned that in the
5 begynnyug of the day they departed. And so itt was doon.
And they arrived aganes the farthre side of the toune and
[*Fol. 192b.] londed * all by nyght and then withdrewe the vesselles agane
fa? into the see, that they we? not perceyved. And they that
we? londed putt theym in a valley beside a wode and hid
10 theym in the most prevey wise that they couthe.
And then Ponthus leped on hors bak and come to the wod
• side to se whe? he couth fynde any pouere man to enque? of
the gouernaunce of the contrey. And att the last he come to
a chapell ryght devoute. And a litle befor day the Erie
15 of Destrue, which was vncle to Ponthus, and Patrices the knyght, whiche had saved Ponthus and the xiij children and had ben fauorable to the Cristen people and abode afte? the grace of God, when he wolde delyuer the coutrey, — went on pylgremege to this chappell, by cause they wold not be aspyed
20 of the Saresyns. Whils they we? the? in they? prayers, so come Ponthus rydyng by the chappell, and lyght doune of his hors and entred into the chappell. And when he saw twoo men knelyng on thei? knees, he had grete ioy therof and trowed that they we? cristened. And when they had
25 asspyed Ponthus, they we? a ferde and rose vp sodanly. And Ponthus asked, " Who be ye ? Name you? selfe hardely and tell me what lawe ye hold." Then they answerd and said, "With Godes mercy, we wolle not forsake ou? Creator, for we be cristened." Said his vncle, "And we pray you tell vs
30 your name, for we like you? fellishipp passyngly wele in ou? hertes." "In feith," said he, "my name be Ponthus, sonne vnto the kyng of Spayne, on whoes saule God haue mercy." And when his uncle herd that, he ranne and toke hym in his armys and said, "Ay Lorde God, I haue nowe my desire.
35 Blessed be ou? Lorde Ihesu Crist, that I thurgh his grete grace may see you." And when Ponthus knewe that he was
112 F. J. MATHER, JR.
his vncle and sawe the goode chere that he made hym, then he had grete pitee and said, "By God Ser, ye reioyse me gretly in myn hert, and ye say me trouthe." And anoon it waxed lyght day, that he knewe hym wele; and then they 5 caste wepyng eyen echon on othre.
The Erie said, "Ay swete frende, howe durste ye come thus, for if ye we? asspyed, ye be hot deid." " Fair uncle," said Ponthus, "I am not allone, bot I haue ryght neghe me xviij1 thovsand armed men, as all the floure of Englond, of Scotland,
10 of Irlond, and of Bretan, and of the contree aboute." And when he herd that, he kneled doune and thonked God, and said that the (countre) is all nolle as itt was wonte to be before, bot that they be tributories to the kyng Brodas. And then he shewed hym the knyght Patrices, that had saued hym
15 and his felowes in the shipp, and told hym that he had saued the contrey. Then Ponthus thonked hym hertely and led hym furth to see his people. And when he sawe theym, he had grete ioye.
" The? be nomore to doo," said the knyght, " bot lete
20 ordayne you? battelles and putt theym the? as I shall tell you in oon partie." So they ordaned the batelles and putt thre 2 thovsand men aside in a valey ; and the remenawnt abode styll, excepte v hunderith which went with Patrices into a secrete place, into the tyme that the Saresyns we? issued oute
25 of the toune; — and shuld Patrices and his people come to the
touue as thogh they we? sent fro the kyng to kepe the toune.
And when the Erie of Destrue sawe his sonne Poll ides,
which was a fai? knyght, he blessed hym and said, "This
assemblye be made by ou? Lorde Ihesu Criste, which has
30 gyven vs grace to fynde the ryght lorde of this contrey."
[*Fol. 193.] And then he said, " Lordes, ordayne you in array, * for I
wolle goo to the kyng Brodas and tell hym that Cristen people
be entred into the londe to pyll the centre. And then he wolle
haste hym as faste as he canne, with fewe people and withouten
1R, the same. W, .xxmii. *R,iiijm. W,foureth.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 113
ordenawnce, wherby he shall be more easly conquered. Ther for sendes a litle balange? to feche and make redy all the othre shippes, and when they be comen, putt fire in sume olde hous ; and then he wolle trowe that you? powe? be not so grete as it
5 is, wherfor he wolle dysordeyn hytn, withouten any ordencmnce makyng."
Then the Erie toke his leve and departed and come to the toune ryght erly. He come to the kyng as man affrayd ; the kyng rose vp, and he saluyd hym by Mahounde ; and then he
10 said vnto the kyng, " Se?, the Cristen be comen to robbe and to pyll the contrey, and they be bot a leke frome the toune." " Be they mony ? " said the kyng. " Ser, I wote neuer," said he, " bot as fa? as I canne vndrestond, they be into a n^ l shippes." "Fye!" said he. "Be they noo moo? By Ma-
15 hounde, in evyll tyme be they comen, so I shall tell you ; for I dremed this nyght that I become a grete, blak wolfe, and that sett vpon me a grete, whyte grehounde and a brachete, and the grehounde slewe me." "Ay Ser" said the Erie, "ye shuld not beleve in dremes." " Ye say sothe," said the kyng.
20 " Goo and make to bloo trumpettes and doo crye that euery man arme hym. So we (shall) take the fals rebawdes and robbers on the see, whiche I shall make all to be slayne and to be drawn at 2 hors tales." " Ye say wele," said the Erie, whiche thoght that itt shuld not be so.
25 The Erie went furth and armed hym and made to crye that euery man shuld arme hym. So euery man armed hym and leped on hors bak. The kyng went oute armed ryght rycheley and went oute of the toune withouten makeng of any orde- naunce, — bot who so myght goo, went. So there went furth
30 moo then xij thovsand on hors bak beside fotemen, as archers and alblasterers.
Ponthus had ordaned his batelles and had sett in a valey iiij thovsand men of arrues for to fall betwene theym and the toune. And Ser Patryke come with v hunderyth men into a
1 Exactly the thre score of W. 7 MS. and.
8
114 F. J. MATHER, JR.
secrete place to wynne the toune, and he abode tyll he sawe his tyme to departe.
The kyng smote his hors with the spurres on that partie whe? as he sawe the smoke and loked to the see and sawe not 5 past Ix schippes, and said, " Nowe on theym ! They be all shent. They? Ihesu Criste shall neuer helpe theym, bot they shall dye ane1 evyll dethe." He abode not, to he was past the place where as the iiij thovsand we?. Then he beheld befor hym and sawe the grete batelles in ordenawnce. So he
10 was amervelled of this dede and went to haue withdrawn hym and to haue sett his men in ordenemnce. And yitt he ordaned so that a grete partie was in ordencmnce, for he was a wyse knyght and a hardye in armes; and as he made an ordenawnce, he herd a grete crye betwen hym and the toune
15 and sawe his men flee toward hym. Then he said, " There is noo fleyng. Rynne we vpon [theym] sharpely." So he smote his hors with the spurrys and assemelyd with the batelles. So he iusted with Geffray de Lazynyen, the whiche was not all redye, and they gave grete strokes. Bot the kyng toke
20 Geffray at a trave[r]s and ouerthrewe hym. The kyng lad hond vppon his sworde and said, "Mahounde helpe !" And the furst that he smote he ouerthrewe hym, and did mervel- lous dedes of armes.
The batell begane ryght hard and sharpe. Ponthus, that
25 hade grete desire forto doo dedes of armes — in esspeciall on
theym that held his roialme, he smote on the ryght syde and
[*Fol. 193b.] * on the lefte syde and bett doune Saresyns and slewe all that
euer he smote. The Saresyns held theym aboute thei? kyng,
the which slewe and manhened mony of ou? men. Andrewe
30 de La Tou? sawe Geffray de Lazynyen on fote, that myght not lepe vp agane and was sore bressed and in grete perell ; so he smote a Turke and ouerthrewe hym and toke his hors and, in despite of theym all, led hym to Geffray and said vnto hym, " Fai? fellowe, lepe vp, for he? be perilous abydyng on
35 fote." Geffray lepe vp and thonked hym ; and when they
'An imperfect d is changed to an e.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 115
twoo were to gedre, they made grele slaghtre of Saresyns. And wele bestirred theym the Bretanes and the Herupoyse. The? was grete cry.
The kyng did bloo a trumpett and gederyd his menye and 5 gave stronge batell to ou? men. Ponthus loked vp and per- ceyved the kyng, that had slayne his fadre, and howe that by hym mouy men we? slayne, for he did grete dedes of armes with his bodye, and was ryght richely arrayd and ba? a croune vpon his helme. Ponthus had ryght grete ioye that he had
10 founde hym and went toward hym and gave hym a grete stroke, and the kyng smote hym agayne. So the? was stronge batell betwen theym, for the kyng was ryght strong and of grete hertt ; bot Ponthus gave hym so mony strokes that he mad hym all astoned and to stowpe ; and then he cutted the
15 lases of his heltnete, and then the kyng had bot litle strenght to endure. And Ponthus smote hym wele with all his strenght and smote ay to his neke vndre the helme, so that he fell doune deid. And when his men sawe itt, they wrong they? hondes and we? all dyscomfeted.
20 And on that othre side the iiij thovsand men come behynd theym and keped theym in, soo that the? escaped noone, bot all went to the sworde. They we? all putt to dethe withouten any mercy.
Se? Patryke went oute of his enbushement and come furst
25 with .1. armed men to gete the gate of the toune, and com- memnded that the remenawnt shuld folowe aftre. So he come to the gate, and they knewe hym wele and asked hym, howe itt went with the kyng and his people. And he said, " Ryght evyll."1 Then he entered and wanne the gate and keped itt
30 to the remenawit come to hym. Then he sett goode kepe at the gate and bad that noo man shuld entre, vnto Ponthus come. Then he went into the toune, sekyng houses2 for Saresyns, & thoo that he founde he putt theym to dethe. So Ser Patryke went crying into the toune, "A rnorte Saresyns!"
1 evy is written upon an erasure. 1 MS. horses. K, hostdz. W, houses.
116 F. J. MATHER, JR.
and, "Live1 cristened!" The Cristen men that we? in the toune, which we? in seruage and yelded truage, they made a crosse with they? armes, and so they founde noo body that dide theym harme — no of noo thyng that longed to theym, 5 for Ser Patryke had so ordaned. The toune was wonne, for all men of defence were goon to the batell 2 whe? as they we? slayne, moo then xxvij 3 thovsand.
When this discomfatu? was doon, the Cristen people soghte the feldes, enery man to fyude his frende, his cosyn, and his
10 maistre. So there were not mony sleyn of grete men of name. Of Bretane, the? was found deid of barounes and of knyghtes ; — Geffray d'Auncenys and Bryan de Pounte, Roland de Cor- quyan, Henry de Syen, Barnaby de Seynt4 Gyles ; Herupoys, — Huberd de Brice, Hamelyn de Mountelyes, and Eustace de
15 Lay Poys ; of Petons, — Andrewe de Lay Marche, John de
Lay Garnache, and Huberd d'Argenten, and of knyghtes, —
Amaulry de Lay Forest and Henry de Basoches; and of
Mayn, — Hardenyr de Sylle and Olive? de Douncelles, and
[*Fol. 194 ] °f knyghtes, — Graue de Crusses, William du Sages ; of Nor-
20 mandes, — * William Tesson, Guy Pamell and Piers de Villers and othre v knyghtes moo. And of Englond and Scotelond ther were fewe slayne, for they we? in the rereward ; and they of the base marches bare the bronte, for they we? in the voward. Ponthus commcmnded to take all the deid bodies of
25 the Cristeu and maked theym to be buryed in the chirche of Columpne and did ordeyn for theym all the seruice and worshipp that myght be doon, in so myche that euery man prased hym for his goode dedes. The Cristen people were serched and layd to gedre, the deid on that oon syde, the hurtt
30 on that othre side.
When this was doon, Ponthus and his batelles did ryde vnto the toune. The? was delyuered to euery lorde, aftre that he had of men, stretes and howses, and did fynde so myche
1 MS. love. R, viuent. W, lyue. * 6 written over a p.
3 R, par extimacion xxvim. W, .xxv.
4 MS. Syen. W, Bemarbe de saynt Gyle. R, bernard de saint gille.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 117
riches and vytell that the pouerest had enughe. It was cryed that noo man shuld take noght fro the Cristen people of the toune, ne doo theym noo wrong — and noo more they dide.
Ponthus rode streght to the grete chirche and offred vpp 5 his hors and his harnes and did (do) syng thre messes and thonked Gode, weppyng, of his grace that he had sent hym. Afire that, the Erie his vncle and Ser Patryk come to hym and asked counsell what they shuld doo. And Ser Patryke said, " I counsell you befor all thynges, that vnto theym that has
10 any castelles or tounes in kepyng, or fortresses, be le^res wreten and sent to theym, as it we? frome theyre kyng, that aftre the syght of the lettres, they come to this tourie, bothe day and nyght, in all the haste that they myght. And sume shall be taken here and sume we take by enbushementes that we shall
15 lay in certayn places. And so we shall haue the moste parte of theym, and so shall we euer haue the lesse to doo." This goode counsell was holden in suche maner that frome the tounes and castells all they come forward toward the toune of Columpne; and sume we? take in the toune and putt to
20 dethe and the remencmnt distressed by enbushements, for they we? ouerthrawn in dyuers places. When the Cristen people herd of the dyscomfatu? of the Saresyns, they rosse by tounes and by castelles and slewe of theym as mony as they couth fynde, and so long was the were led that all the londe was
25 clensed of theym and deliueryd ; for sume of theym dide yeld theym and were conuerted, and Ponthus gave theym goode enughe to ly ve vpon ; and the remenawnte that myght flee, fled, wherof sume were slayne by the Spaneyardes and by the reaume of Castell, and othre were perysshed in dyuers places
30 myschevously.
Tf Wherfor the Sawdeyn of Babilone was ryght sorofull thus to haue loste his thre sonnes and his men. He was ryght angre with Mahounde and said before all men, as a man oute of his wytt, that the God Crucifyed had ouercomen hym and
35 that he was of more vertue than Mahound, when he had not
118 F. J, MATHER, JE.
saved his sonnes and his men. And so there was grete com- playnte for theyrn in Babilone and in Damasse.
So I turne agane to Ponthus and so here folowes aftre the polytyke rewle and demeane of Ponthus and of his gouer- 5 naunce.
[Cap. XXX. How Ponthus was crouned kyng; and how
at the feste he knewe his modre among the xiij pouere
people ; and how he made the Erie of Destrue and Ser
Patryk to be kepers of his reaume and to obey vnto the
10 quene, his modre.]
P(
lOnthus made leches to be soght forto heall the people that was wonded and hurte in the batell, and hym self did visete theym ofte tymes and made to be broght to theym all thyuges that theym (neded). He fested the lordes and all
15 his fellisshipp and gave theym gyftes. And also he founde
in a toure the grete tresoure of the kyng Brodas, the which
[*Fol. 194b.] was * a grete thyng to tell. And when he had ouerryden the
contrey and clensed itt of the mysbelevers, he founde myche
people and the londe wele belabored, both of vynes and of corne.
20 From all the contrees the people come rynnyng to see theyr ryghtwyse lorde, and as it had been to myracles. And they loued hym wele for his grete renoune and worthenes, his bountee and curtesie ; for the? was noon so simple ne so pouere bot that he wold speke to theym and here theym
25 mekely. He was right petuouse of the pouere people — he loued God and holy chirche.
And when he had doon this dede, he come to Columpne and made there a grete feste and was crouned by the hondes of oon holy bischop. And thedre come to hym the kyng of
30 Aragone, his vncle, that was brothre to his modre, the which had grete ioye to see hym and of his victorye. And he tolde hym howe the kyng Brodas had wered vpon hym and howe the? was taken a trety betwen theym to a certan day — vnto the tyme that God wold sett a remedye, — " and thnrgh his
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 119
grace he has ryght wele purveyd of his pitee by you." Thus complened the kyng to his neviewe and yitt he told hym howe that he abode the comyng of the kyng of Fraunce and the kyng of Spayne, that shuld haue comen this some?, — "bot itt
5 is no nede."
The feste was grete of the kynges coronacion and the? we? made mony straunge thynges. The grete lordes of the contre come and did they? homage. And also the fai? ladyes had grete ioye that they were comen oute of hell, and of seruage
10 whe? as they had levyd in sorowe and in hevynes ; and nowe the[i] be broghte into ioye and into myrth and into Paradise, as theym semeth. They liked wele they? kyng, in so myche that they hade grete ioye to luke vpon hym. And all maner of people thonkhed God deuoutely of they? delyueraunce.
15 Betwen the courses the ladyes did syng,1 and the? were mony vowes to the pope,1 the which were longe to tell. And the kyng did bryug and presente by xij fai? ladies and xij olde knyghtes grete gyftes and iewelles — sume of fai? coursyrs and sume of fai? cuppys of gold and of sylve?, of fai? clothes of
20 gold and of sylke, and of mony othre grete iewelles, — to the knyghtes and to the cheftanes, so that all men we? amervelled of his grete larges. He was a man ryght plescmnt and of grete curtesie and of goode condicions.
So ther fell a grete mervell of the custome that was that
25 tyme vsed ; for itt was so, that befor the kyng, shuld be serued xiij pouere men for the loue of God and his apostelles. So it befell that the Erie of Destrue, the kynges vncle, went visyttyng the tables, and as God wold he beheld the table of the pouere people and sawe a womman lukyng vpon the kyng.
30 And as she beheld hym, the teres fell doune from hi? eyn. The Erie luked wisely vpon hi? and avised hi? so wele, that by a token that she had in hi? chyn he knewe wele that it was the quene, modre vnto Ponthus. And when he see hi? in so pouere astate that hi? gooune was all clovted and to-rent, he
1 Not in K. In W only, — There was songes and many mynstrelsyes.
120 F. J. MATHER, JR.
myght not kepe hym fro wepyng. So his hert swemyd l for pitee to see hi? in so pouere degree, and when he myght speke, he thonked God and went behynde the kyng his neviewe and said vnto him, "Ser, he? be a grete mervell." "Wherof?"
5 said the kyng. " The best and the holyest ladye that I knowe,
my ladie the quene, you? modre, is her-in." " Wher be she?"
[*Fol. 195.] said he. And he for grete payne myght not * tell hym, for
pitee ; and when he myght speke, he told hym in councell and
said, " Ser, see ye hi? sitt yondre with «the xiij pouere? at the
10 furst ende of the table." And Ponthus beheld hi? and he per- cey ved hi? chere ; and anoon she putt hi? hoode before hi? eyen and weped ; and the kyng had grete pitee in his hertt. Then said he vnto his vncle, " Make noo semeland, that noon espie itt; bot when we be vp fro the table, I shall into my warderopp,
15 and bryng ye hyr pn'vely to me." And so itt was doone.
When the tables we? taken vp and grace yolden to God,
the kyng departed pmiely and went into his warderopp, and
the Erie his vncle broght thedre his modre prtuely. And
when Ponthus sawe hi?, he kneled doune befor hi? and toke
20 of his croune and sett itt on hi? hede, and sche toke hym vp all wepyng and kyssed hym and halsed hym, and sore they weped, she and hi? sonne and the Erie. And when they myght speke, Ponthus said vnto hi?, "Ay Madame, so myche pouertee and dysease as ye haue soffred and endured ! " "Ay my swete
25 knyght and sonne," said she, " I am comen oute of the paynes of hell, and God has given me grete Paradyse, when itt has plessyd hym to yeve me so long live that I may see you with myn eyn 2 and that I see vengeaunce for the dethe of my lorde you? fadre, which the tyranes putt to dethe, and also that I
30 see the contree voyded oute of the mysbeleve and the holy lawe of Ihesu Christe to be serued. And I wote wele that this sorowe and trouble has endured this xiij 3 yeres, as by a
1 W, symmed. E, Le cuer lui emfla de pitie.
* R omits everything from here to the end of the paragraph except the single sentence, — Car les aduersitez qui sont venues en ce royaume est une ven- gence de dieu. H and O agree with D and W. 3 H, xiiij.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 121
chastesyng of God (for) the grete delites and lustes that were vsed in this reaurne. So me semes no we that God has mercy of his people, that he has keped you and sent you to deliuere the contrey of the mysbeleve." Ryght wele spake the quene
5 and wisely, as an olde l lady as she was.
"Nowe I pray you," said the kyng, "tell me howe ye escaped and howe ye were saved." " My fai? sonne, I shall tell you. When the crye was in the mornyng in the toune, and you? fadre slayne, I was in ray bed ; and he armed hym
10 with nomore then with an hawberke and his helme and ran furth withoute any more abydyng, as the hardest knyght that was, as men said. When he was departed and when I herde the crye, I was sore aferd and toke oon of my wommens gounes and went my way with my lavender" ; and I fonde of
15 aventure the posterne gate open, that sume people had opened, and so I went oute and went into the wod fast by the laundes, whe? as dwelled an holy hermyte, the (whiche)2 had a chappell and a well and a lugge at the wod syde; so I abode ther. And my chaumberlane,3 which was wele aged, come euery
20 day to feche almus att the kynges hous, and therby we lived, the hermyte, she, and I. And so ye may see that God has saved me." " In goode faith," said the kyng hi? son, " ye led an holye live." And so sche did for she wered the hayre and went gyrd with a corde, and fasted myche, and was a full
25 holy lady.
The kyng had grete ioy and grete pitee of his modre. Then he sent for hys tailyou? and did shape for hi? gyrtelles, gounes, and mantelles — bot4 blewe and purpyll — and made theym to be furred with arrnyn and sables.5 And when she
30 was so arrayd, hi? semed a full fai? lady.5 And when they come to sope?, they broght in the quene rychely arrayd. And when the kyng of Arragonne, hi? brother, sawe hi?, he toke hi? in his armes and kyssed hi?, for he wened she had
lVf,holy. H,saincte. *Vf,bothe.
1 MS. roehe. R, qui. * Not in W and R.
3 W, chamberer. R, chamberie.
122 F. J. MATHER, JR.
[*Fol.l95b.] ben deid. The lordes and the ladys of Galice had grete * ioye of the quene and did hi? myche worshipp, for they held hi? for a goode and an olde 1 ladye and were all amervelled fro whens she come, for they went all that she had been dede. 5 Hir brothre the kyng of Aragon was sett at sope? at the table ende, and aftre the quene, and then hi? sonne Ponthus, for the day of his coronacion he must kepe his astate. The quene was of goodly porte and semed wele to be a grete ladye. She was ryght humble and had ryght grete ioye of the worshipp
10 and goodnes that she sawe in hi? son. Then she said to hi? son, " Fair son, I haue grete desire to see ou? doghtre you? wyf, for the grete goodenes that I haue herd of hir." " Ma dame," said he, " ye shall see hi? hastely, if it be pleasyng to God." That day passed with grete ioye and dissportes of
15 ladis and daunsyng and synghyng, and of othre maner of plays.
That nyght Ponthws dremed that a bere had devoured his lady Sydone, and that she cryed and said, "Ay Ponthus my swete lorde, for the loue of God, soffre me not thus to dye."
20 Thus a vision 2 fell to hym twys or thryse ; and so he was sore affrayd therwith and had grete mervell in his hertt what itt betokened. Att morowe in the sprynhyng of the day he called vp his men and sent for his vncle and for Ser Patryk. So they come to hym and he told theym his avysions and
25 said, " Myn hert telles me that my wyfe has sume sekenes, or is in grete trowble. She be so, that I wolle no lengre abyde here ; bot I wolle go to see as faste as I canne for to see hi?." When they sawe his wyll, they ue durst ganesay hym.
Then said the kyng, " Fai? Lordes, I thonke God and you,
30 this contrey be clensed of the mysbelevers and I thynke that by you twoo the contrey has ben saved and the people keped fro the dethe, — by you? goode revoles. It was Godes wyll. So I bethinke me of Moyses and Aaron that God sett to save the people of Israel. So ye shall haue grete merite and the
1 W, holy. And did . . . ladye is lacking in R.
2 W, This auysyon. R, ceste aduision, is probably the original reading.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 123
guerdone of God ; and as for me, I be ryght myche beholden to you. Wherfor, fai? vncle, I make you my lyeu-tenawnt, and Ser Patryk shall be senysshall and constable of this reaume ; for it be goode reason that ye, that has doone so 5 myche goode and saved the contre, haue the revoll and the gouernaunce therof. And ye, Ser Patryke my dere frend, ye saued me ; so I shall yeve you londe and goode, so largely that ye shall not lese you? true smiice." Se? Patryk kneled doune and thonked hym.1 Then he comaunded theym that
10 the state of his modre we? keped, and that she shuld haue hi? awn comwandemente, as it we? to his awn propre persone ; and also that they shuld sustene as wele the pouere as the ryche and that the ryche shuld not ouerlede2 the pouere. And then he comaunded theym to repare the chirches of
15 glasen wyndowes and of all othre thynges, — whe? as they were broken, to make theym vp agane, — " and I shall take you x3 thovsand besauntes of golde therto. He ordaned ryght wele for his reaume all that neded.
And then he went and herd thre messes and sent his dynne?
20 to shipp, and toke his leve of his modre the quene and said vnto hi?, heryng all men, " Madame I leve you the reaume and the tresou? that I haue, all in you? demeyn and gouern- aunce. I haue commaunded and cowimaundes all men to obeye you as they wold doo to myn awn persone ; and, for
25 the better, I leve you myn vncle and Ser Patryk my goode
knyght, the which I haue made constable and senysshall
of my reaume, and myn vncle my lyeu-tenawnt." So he
toke leve wepyng. And she prayd hym to come agane in
F*Fol 196 8norte tvme> f°r sne w°ld fayne se his wyfe. And he toke
30 his leue of the lordes and * ladys of the contrey and went to the schippes.
Euery man arrayd hym and dressed hym to the see. The kyng Ponthus come to the barounes and told what avision 4 was there befallen to hym; wherfor he myght neuer be at
1 thonked hym is repeated in the MS. 3 R, xx.
* W, mierlay. * MS. a vision.
124 F. J. MATHER, JR.
hertes ease, to he had sen the quene his wyfe. So he toke the see and saled so long to he see the costes of Bretan.
And here I leve of the kyng Ponthus and retournes agane to the kyng of Bretan and to his doghtre Sydone — howe itt 5 befell theym of the tresone that Guenelete wroght when Pon- thus was in Galyce.
[Cap. XXXI. How Guenelete by fals lettres, that hir lorde
was deid, wold make Sydone to marye hym, and she fled
to a toure for to defende hir ; how Guenelete faraysshed
10 hir and the kyng of Bretayn in the toure vnto she must
nedes yeld hir.]
venelete was made kepe? of the kyng of Bretane and of his doghtre Sydone, for Ponthus had yeven hym all the gouernaunce as ye haue herd before, wherfor he had grete
15 ioye. Neuerthe les he myght not kepe ne chastie hym selfe from tresone. So he bethoghte hym that he wold haue Sydone to his wyfe by sume maner of way, and that he wold be lorde and kyng of that contrey avthre by fai? mauer or by fowle, and that he wold put hym in aventure. So the devyll temped
20 hym so myche that he did stuff the citees and the castelles, and sent for souldeours and yeve theym syluer in honde forto haue the lone of men of armys. JSo thurgh his syluer of evyll vertue : the goode men putt theym self in perell of dethe. And when he had stuffed all the fortresses (he) 2 did make a fals
25 scale of Ponthus armys and made twoo fals lettres, oon to the kyng and an othre to his doghtre Sydone, the which specified that Ponthus recomaunded hym to the kyng, and that all his men we? dyscomfeted and sleyn and hym selfe hurt to the dethe, withouten any remedye. So he prayd hym that for his
30 welfare and for the welfare of his, that he wold yeve his doghtre to Guenelete, and that bettre he myght not besett hi?. And
1 W, So is syluer of an euyll vertue for. R makes it still more general : — Si est largent de male vertue. Car pour lauoir len si met a laueniure de mart. 8 MS. and.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 125
forto make the mariege he yeave hym all his tresoure that he broght oute of Englond. Thes lettres we? ryght wele devysed. And in the \ettre of Sydone was, how he prayd hi? and required hi?, for all the loue that euer was betwen theym, to take his 5 cosyn Guenelete.
And when the kyng and his doghtre sawe thes lettres, it is not to aske of the grete sorowe and hevynes that they made. Sydone swoned often tymes and weped and whisshed aftre hym, the whiche myght not be oute of hi? mynde. She drewe
10 and rent hi? l fare 2 here and made so grete sorowe that itt was grete petee to see. So the ladys and the courte we? in grete hevynes for hym and said, "Alias ! What damege ! What pitee ! The flou? of knyghthode, the flou? of all gentyllnes, the myrrowr of all goode maners be dystroyd." The toune,
15 the burgeses, and all the comon people weped and soroed for they? frendes and they? kynesmen, for they trowed that they had ben all deyd.
The? myght noo man comforth Sydone. "Alias ! " sayd she. "He was that man in whome all bountee and trewth
20 dwelled, and by (whome) 1 3 thoght to haue had all my ioye, and the which was so free and so trewe and loued me so wele and was so likly to haue holden the people in reste and peace. How has God soffred suche aventure agane hyra and agane me? Alias sorofull wreche! What shall I doo?" So the?
25 was noon so hard a hert bot that it wold haue had pitee of hi?; and this sorowe endured more then viij days withoute cessyng.
And Guenelete come and said to the kyng, howe Ponthus required hym to gyve hym his doghtre. So he flatered hym
30 full fai? and said that he shuld serue hym and hi? and wor-
shipp theym and kepe the reaume, and that Ponthus had
gy ven hym golde and syluer more then the reaume was worth.
[*Fol. 196b.] So he offred 4 to hym and * said, " Ser, I pray you goo and
1 MS. his, * r apparently altered from a c.
'After I, trowed cancelled by the rubricator. W, thought.
4 Si lui offre et dit, the exact original of 0*8 re&ding. W, offred it.
126 F. J. MATHER, JE.
speke with your doghtre, that she wold consente therto." The kyng was aged, so he wyst not what to say. And Guen- elete did so myche by his subtile wytt that he made the kyng to consente. The kyng was aged and come to his doghtre and 5 comforthed [hi?] the fairest wyse that he myght, and said to hi? that dyscomforthe did bot greve to hi? withoute any helpe to hym, or to his reaume, and sith that Ponthus required it, that she shuld haue Guenelete, for the loue of hym and for the grete tresou? that he had gyven hym ; and also that he
10 shuld obey vnto hym and kepe his reaume for to revle it, — " for if (I) gyve you to any kyng, he wolle lede you in-to his awn contrey, and so shall we then abyde withouten gouer- naunce or gouernou?." When Sydone herd hi? fadre thus speke, she had grete mervell and said, that, God be pleassed,
15 he shal not be hi? husbonde and that (she) shuld rath re be barren.1 And the kyng, that loued hi? so myche (sayd), sith it liked hi? not, she shuld not haue hym ; bot bad hi? be of goode comforth.
So he come to Guenelete and said vnto hym, that his
20 doghtre wold haue noo husbond at this tyme. " Howe ! " said Guenelete, " Refuses she me ? It shall not be all at hi? wyll." So he come to hi? and made myche of hi? and gave hi? fai? languege, — howe t[hat] 2 he 2 thynkes to serve hi? and to obey hi?, and she to be lady of all, and that noght shuld be
25 doon in the reaume bot by hi? commaundement; and howe he has the grete tresoure of hir said lorde, that was wonne vpon the Saresyns, the whiche was yeven hym by hys le^res. Myche he made of hi? and flatered hi?, bot all avayled hym not ; for she sware to hym that she shuld not be wedded of
30 all that yere, for noon that spake with tunge. " Howe ! " said he, " If you? fadre commaunde you, wolle ye disobey hym ?" " My lorde my fadre may commaunde me, what so euer that it pleasse hym," said she, " bot forto dye, I shall abyde all
1 W, rather dye. R, dist . . . quelle seroit auant beguyne. J) appears to have mis-read, baraigne. * MS. the. W, that he.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SLDONE. 127
this ye?. Aftre, say I not hot I wolle obey hym." " Yea?" sayd Guenelete, " Make ye refuse of me? And ye wolle not obey to the lettres of you? forsaid lorde — the whiche ye desired and loued so myche, and that the? was no thyng bot that ye
5 wold doo itt for hym — and sith ye lyst not (to) obey to his praye? and his \ettre, and also ye list not to obey to the cow- maundement of you? fade?, — by the faythe that I owe vnto hym, bot if ye take othre counsell, I doute ye wolle be angreed." So he threte hi?, when by fairnes he se that
10 he myght not haue hi?. And then he says, sith that he has the lettre of hi? forsayd lorde and the concentyng of hi? fadre, that he wold haue hi?, whethre she wold or noo. " Yea," said she, " be I in that partie ? " " Yea," sayd he, " by my faithe, ye shall see what may befall." " Rathre," said she, " I shall
15 haue euery lyrne of me hewen frome othre." " Yea," said he, " it shall be seen all in tyme." So he departed as a wodeman, for he wened not to fale of hi?.
Sydone was all abasshed, and thoght in hi? hert that it was not the furst treson and falsnes that he had doone. So she
20 thoght wele that the \ettres were fals, for othre tymes had he doon1 to vndrestond that Poiithus was deid. So she called thre2 squyers and twoo3 yomen into hi? chaumbre, that she had, and called Ellyous and othre twoo gentylwomen, and said vnto theym, that she dovted hi? of Guenelete and shewed
25 theym how he was hote of loue, wenyng to haue hi? by fai?
[*Fol. 197.] maner * or by fowle maner, — "for he be malicius and per-
aventure wold wyrke by strenght. So I haue purposed that
we shall goo into yonde toure, and doo be? thedre vitell, and
the? shall we abyde, vnto the tyme that we haue surae rescouse
30 of ou? frendes, or of sume of the barounes, or elles haue herd the trouthe of my lorde Ponthus." They said that she had wele said. And so it was doon. They dide bere brede and wyne in botelles, in barelles, and in pottes, flesche and cheses, and all thyng that theym neded, as long as they had lase? ;
'After doon, that cancelled by the Fabricator.
* W, two. K, deux. 3 W, .in. R, deux chamberlains.
128 F. J. MATHER, JR.
and then they schitt the dore, and with barres of yrne, and bare vp rokkes and stones for to defende it, for Guenelete had thoght to haue taken hi? agane hi? wyll and to haue doon hi? outerage, if she wold not haue concented.
5 So he come into hi? chaumbre and when he fonde hi? not, he serched the warderoppes, whe? as he did fynd a gentyll- woraan, the whiche tolde hym that she was withdrawn into the toure, and how she had vitelled it and stuffed it ; and when he herd that, he luked as a wodeman and come before
10 the toure and prayd hi? full fayre to open hym the dore, and swore by his feith that he wold not mysdoo hi?. But Sydone, whiche knewe wele his vntrouthe, said he shuld not come in by that meane. He thret hi? sore and swore that he shuld take hi? by force & make hi? his wench, if she wold not take
15 with to be his wyfe, and bad hi? chese whethre she wold doo. "Ay," said she, whiche was ryght angre to here the vngudely wordes, " Traitou? thou shal not come therto, and God wolle, for thowe shall dye an evyll dethe for this fals entrepnse." Then he waxed angree and sayd, sith that he had doone so
20 myche, he wold fenyshe itt, what so ever befell.
So he toke the kyng and put hym in prisone, for fere that he shuld gedre men of armes aganes hym ; and then he come to the burges and said vnto theym, howe Sydone was yeven hym of hi? husbonde by goode lettres, and also the
25 kyng hi? fadre was accorded therto by cause that she wold haue ben weddyd to a man of noght, which wolde haue hated and dystroyed the contree ; " bot," said he, " if that I haue hi?, I shal kepe you? fraunches and you? libertees and I shall kepe you as the gold doos the stone. So I haue sett the kyng
30 in a chaumbre, for he be all doyted and has noo wytt, and he wold lyghtly concente to the lewde counsell1 of his doghtre; wherby the contree myght be loste, if it befall as they thynke. Bot I shall (kepe) theym wele therfro, with Goddes helpe and youres, and to saue the wele-fai? of Bretane." So he gave
1 W, courage. R,fol couraige.
KING PONTHUS AND THE PAIR SIDONE. 129
largely to theym, and putted to theym mony doutes, that myght noye hyra,1 and he did itt in suche wyse, wenyng to theym that he had sayd trouthe, wherfore they durst not ryse ne meve. And also he had mony straunge souldeoures. 5 When he had spoken to the burges and to the people, he come to the toure and assaled itt. So the? was within hot v men a[nd] fou? wommen, that threwe doune grete stones and defended wele the toure. And also there was the most partie of theym that did hot feyne, for the[i] wold not that she were
10 taken. The sawte lasted a grete while and Guenelete had fayled of his entente ; so he was ryght sorofull and angree and thoght at the lest he wold famyshe theym. " In goode faith," said Sydone, " we haue vytell enughe for a monethe day, and in the meane tyme God may helpe vs and sende vs
15 rescouse." When Guenelete vndrestode hi?, he went to haue
[*Fol.l97b.] ronne wode for angre; for he was half dystrakked * by cause
he had fayled of his purpose, and wold and wysshed that he
had not begonne ; bot sith he had vndretaken itt, he thoght
that he wold fynysshe it, or elles dye therfore. So he sett
20 goode warde and watche aboute the toure, that the? shuld come no vytell to theyrn.
And then he bethoght hym of a grete malice, for he come to the kyng and prayd hym to goo to his doghtre, for he knewe wele that he myght turne hi? of hi? folye that she has
26 taken on honde ; and tolde hyin that he wold not famyshe hi?, bot fall into a tretee. The kyng, that was goode and true and thoght noon harme, went vp to his doghtre and told hi? howe she was in a way to be deid and shewed hi? mony ensaumples.
30 And she answeryd hym to the contrarye, and howe she thoght wele the leitres was (false) ; — " and ye wote wele," said she, " that othre tymes he has sayd that he was deid. So I shal rathre dye, bot if I knowe the verray treuthe." " In goode faith," said the kyng, " it may wele be as ye say; for I knowe
•MS. theym. W, that he supposed myght noye Aym/translating R, qui lui pouuaient nuyre. I. e., " might hinder him" (Guen.).
9
130 F. J. MATHER, JR.
noo man of knowlege that has ben the?, and harde is the werre, whe? as noon escapes." So they be sumwhat comforthed, for the grete vntreuthe that they knewe on hym.
Guenelete asked the kyng, that he sawe aboue at the wyn- 5 dowe, " Ser, what wolle she doo ? " " So helpe me God," said the kyng, " I may not spede, for she be yitt all sorowfull and angree for hi? lorde, wherfor I may haue no goode answe?." " No ! " said Guenelete, " by the faith that I owe to God, ye shall abyde with hi? and be? he? fellishipp, forto ete pesen
10 and ploumes ; for ye shall bot l twoo dye for hungre, bot if I may haue hi? fellysshipp." So the kyng abode with his doghtre, wherfor she had the titte? pitee for the hungre and the dysease of hi? fadre. They had mete enughe iiij days or v. bot the vj* day they? vitelles fayled so that they had navthre
15 bred nor flesch. So the[5] wer twoo days that they navthre ete ne dranke save a litle chese, and iche of theym a draghte of wyn. The kyng began forto feble, for Sydone had noo more mete bot vj apyls, of the whiche she gave euery day twoo to hi? fadre. She weped and sorowed for the grete disease that
20 hi? fadre was in, and that did hi? more sorowe than hi? awn peyn did. She loked often tymes oute at a wyndowe toward the citee and the see, if she myght se any thyng. So she wyshed ofte tymes aftre Ponthus and then she weped and made myche sorowe, desyryng hi? awn dethe, and said to the
25 kyng, "Ay my lorde, it had ben bettre for you that I had ben deid long agoo, then ye to soffre suche payne and so myche hungre for me." The kyng weped and sayd, " I had leuer dye for hungre then to se yonde traitou? gete you by this meane." Sydone called hym, — " Fals traitou? and vntrewe,
30 howe may thou soffre the kyng to dye, that is so trewe2 a man ? Alias ! " said she, " Be thys the nurture that he has made of the, when thou has beseged hym and makes hym to dye for hungre and thurst, that oftentymes has gyven the goode mete and drynke? Be this the guerdon that thou
35 yeldes hym ? " She said hym myche shame, bot all avaled
1 W, bothe. K, tons deux. * W, good. E, ion.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 131
not; for he made his othe that he shuld make hym to dye for verray hungre, if she wold not concent to be his wyfe.
The kyng was almost deid for hungre and lay in his bed
and myght not styrre. And when Sydon behelde hym she
5 said that she we? leuer to dye, or to sorowe all hi? live then
to see hi? fadre dye for hi?. Then she said to hym wepyng,
" My ryght swete lorde and fadre, I may noo lengre soffre
you? sorowe ne the hungre that ye abyde. Me is leuer to
[*Fol. 198.] dye, or to be in sorowe all my live days, then to se * you in
10 this case." The kyng weped and wyst not what to say ; forto see that he shuld haue hys doghtre by this way, it greved hym sore, and on that othre side, to see hym selfe and hi? to dye to gedre, itt did hym grete harme, for she shuld be cause of hi? awn dethe. So he sorowed sore and said that he had
15 to long lived. So he couthe not councell hym self and said vnto hi?, " Fai? doghtre, I wote not how we may doo. I ne wote what counsell I may yeve you — so myche sorowe I haue, bot to see you dye, I may not see.it; and I wold that the dethe toke me, so that Ponthus we? in this toune on live
20 on the strong parte, for he wold venge hym wele on the trai- tou? that wold have you agane you? wyll." And the squyers and the gentyllwomen, the whiche were at the dethe and wode for hungre, — it was noo mervell, for it was iiij days past or more sith they ete any maner of mete, and they said, " Ma
25 dame, ye shal be cause of you? awn dethe and of the kyuges you? fadre and of vs. It wer bettre to take the vnhappy ure1 then to doo worse."
When she sawe that she must nedes doo it, for to save hi? fadre more then for hi? awn deth, which she sett bot easy by,
30 then she rose vp and went to the wyndowe and did call Guenelete ; and then she come agane and sent hi? fadre and badd hym speke to Guenelete, and if he myght fynde noo tretee that he shuld accorde with hym, so that he myght haue viij days or more respite to recouer vs of the hungre that (he)
35 has sett vs in. The kyng rose vpp and said to Guenelete that
1 MS. Vrelhen. W, vnhappy man. R, celiui homme.
132 F. J. MATHER, JR.
by strenght he shuld neuer haue the loue of hi? ; and if he wold leve his entreprise, he shuld yeve hym tounes, or castelles, or what thyng he wold haue. And he answerd agane and said, that he wold not take all the reaurae, bot that 5 he wold haue hi?, sith that hi? (lorde) had yeven hi? to hym. Then said the kyng, " He? be bot litle reason. I dovte that ye shall not reiose hi? long." All avaled not that the kyng said, for he was more in his cursydnes then he was afore, and said, (not) for to dye, he wold leve his entreprise, what so
10 euer befell. The kyng asked hym a monethe respete, and at the monethe ende he shuld yeve hym an answe?. And Guene- lete wold ryght not doo ; bot the kyng did so myche that he had iiij days resspete, and aftre the iiij days he shuld wedde hi? ; and that (she) concented therto.
15 This1 was the matie? sworne and agreed. And yit said Guenelete, that she shuld not departe oute of the tou? vnto the day come of hys weddyng. He had grete ioye and did bere hi? euery day of the best metes that he couth fynd. And then he helde the kyng wele avysed.2 Aftre the iiij'*
20 day the feste and the array was grete, and Guenelete floo for ioye to haue so fai? a ladye, that he loued so wele. The kyng went and broght hi? doune, and she come all for-weped3 and was so heuy that she had leve? haue died then lived, and wyssed in hi? hert aftre Ponthus and said, alias in evyll tyme
25 was she borne, — "for a simple chaunge nowe haue I made." So she was led to the chirche, and the byschop did wed theym. The teres fell often tymes and thyk frome hi? eyn.
The mete was ordaned and the? was dyuers mynstrelleses, of trumpes, taboretes, and fydelles. Ryght mery was Guene-
30 lete, bot I dovbte it was aganes his mysaventure, as it pleased God, — for euery man shal be rewarded aftre his smiice. That day was the fest ryght grete.
»W, And thus.
2 W, auysed. The reading appears to be a misunderstanding of R's bien aise.
3 W, bewepte.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 133
So leve we here of theym and turne agane to Ponthus, howe he come on fro Galice to the mariege of Guenelete and of Sydone.
[Cap. XXXII. How Ponthus arrived in Bretan the same 5 day that Guenelete and Sydone was maried ; and how he and his fellawes went to the feste as dauncers, and he slewe Guenelete in playne soppe?.]
[*FoL 198b.] *~F)Onthus was in the shipp and had taken the see and had taken his leve at his modre and at his vncle and of
10 all the barounes of his contrey, and had all ordaned as ye haue herd afore. He did drawe vp the sales and had wynd at wyll and sailed so long that they arrived in the He of Ree fast by the Rochell. The? they toke leve of hym, the Pety- vynes, the Aungevynes, the Manseoues, the Toryngeaus. So
15 Ponthus toke his leve of theym and thonked theym myche and gave theym grete gyftes ; and then he toke the see agane, he and the othre navye of Englond and of Bretan ; and the wynde fell all calme and Ponthus toke twoo litle ballengers and thre scoore fellowes with hym, and began to rowe.
20 Sydone had dreraed that hi? lorde come ; wherfore she had sent oute oon of hi? squyers to the see syde, to see if any thyng come, — which lepe vpon a coursoure. So he beheld twoo ballengers and sawe in theym a standard. So he sup- posed that it was of the arrays of Galice; wherfor he toke
25 his hoode and made a signe of callyng. Ponthus beheld and said, " See yondre a ryda?, that makes vs a signe of callyng. Itt semes vs that he has grete haste, or elles he mokkes vs. Haste you that we we? with hym." And when the squye? knewe Ponthus, he cryed to hym and said, " Ser, haste you,
30 for Godes loue." " What ? " said Ponthus, " Be the? any thyng amys?" Then the squye? told hym howe Guenelete had smied hym fro poynte to poynte. And then Ponthus blissed hym and was all amervelled, that euer he thoght to doo suche treasone.
134 F. J. MATHER, JR.
" Nowe," said the squye?, " they wolle anoon be at the
soppe?, so it shal be harde to come in." " I shall telle you,"
sayd Ponthus, " howe we shall doo : we shall dysgyse vs at
yonde vyllege and we shall goo in daunsyng with tyboures
5 and with pypers,1 and we shall be? presentes, sayng that we
be fellowes that has grete ioye of the mariage ; and by that
meane we shall come in with the daunses." " In goode faith,"
said the squye?, " it be wele sayd." And so itt was doon.
And Ponthus dysgysed hym2 in the gounes of the goode
10 men of the subarbes ; and then they went daunsyng to the courte. So it was neghe the sonne gooyng doune, and men lete theym entre into the hall, wele dysgysed. Sume had stree hattes and sume of grene bowes and sume had hoodes stuffed with hay, sume were haltyng and sume were croke bakked, —
15 euery man made aftre his awne gyse. Guenelete made ioye and sayd, " Ye may wele see howe the comon people has grete ioye of our weddyng ; the? be fai? dysportes that they make vs." Bot he knewe not of the bushement, wherby he was sone angred.
20 When Ponthus and his felleshipp had daunsed twys or thrys aboute the hall and had beholden the hyghe dese, and sawe Guenelete that made grete ioye and grete feste of the daunses and getted3 at the table, Ponthus come thedreward and kast away his disgysyng, so that euery man knewe hym ; and then
25 he said to Guenelete, "Ay thou fals tratou? and vntrewe, howe durst thou thynke so grete a treson aganes me and the kyng and his doghtre, the whiche has norysshed the and doone the so myche goode? A simple guerdone has thou yelded theym agane therfore. Bot nowe thou sail haue thy payment."
30 Guenelete behelde hym, the whiche was full ferd and wyst
neuer what to answe?, for he knewe wele that he was bot a
deid man. And then Ponthus drewe a litle swerd, ryght
[*Fol. 199.] scharpe, and smote hym, so that he clave the hede * and
1 W, with pypes and labours.
8 W, Kynge Ponthus and hisfelowes dysguysed theym.
3 W, wayted. K, deuisoit.
I
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 135
the body to the navy 11, and afire he cutted of his hede, the which was in peces in signe of a tratoure, and made hym to be draun oute and commaunded that he sbuld be borne to the gallowes.
5 When the kyng and his doghtre sawe Ponthus, the[i] lepte from the table and come rynnyng, they? arrays open, and halsed hym and kyssed hym. Sydone weped for ioye and kyssed his mouthe and his eyn and she myght not dysseuer from hym. Bot Ponthus had so grete pitee for the dysease
10 that they had soffred, that the teres fell frome his eyn, so sore his hert was. And when they? herttes we? sumwhat lyght- ened, the kyng said, " Fai? son, it has bot litle failed that ye shuld haue lost the syght of you? wyfe and of me." Then he told hym of the grete treson, of the fals lettres, and of the
15 hungre he made theym to soffre. Ponthus blessed hym and was all abasshed and sayd1 that neuer sith Crist [was] borne,1 was suche a tratowr livyng, that thoght so fals a tresoune. " I bethynke me," said he, " of Ihesu Crist that had xij apostelles, of the which oon sold hym. And so we come hidre xiiij2
20 fellowes, as it plessyd to God, wherof oon was wors then
ludas ; bot thonked be God, he be wele payd for his reward."
"Ay," said the kyng, "and ye had bene lengre absente, ye
had bene more mokked." " God wold it not," said Ponthus.
"Nowe leve we this talkyng," said the kyng, "for the
25 matie? be wele fynysshed to my plesu? ; so lete vs leve of ou? disporte3 and tell ye vs of you? dedes, — howe ye haue sped." " Ryght wele, I thonke God," said Ponthus. Then he told theym of the batell and of the dyscomfetoure of the Saresyns, and howe the contrey was clensed and wele laboured. And
30 then the? we? sum that told all the manere and the revle, howe he was coroned. They had all grete ioye to he? of the fai? aventures that God sent hym. Then they did bryng hym
1 W, sayd that neuer erst was borne suche. K, car oncques mais ne nasqui si fatdx homme.
8 B, xiiij. W, .xiii.
'After disporte, a superfluous and tell vs is cancelled by the rubricate*.
136 P. J. MATHER, JR.
doune to sope? and aftre songen and daunced and had ioye in they? herte. Sydone was merye and glade, and it nedes not to aske, howe that she in hi? herte thonked God mekely to be escaped frome so grete a perell. That nyght they we? wele 5 eased, for both thei? hertes we?1 in dystresse. They talked of mony thynges and they had enughe of ioy and of dissportes to gedre, for they loved wele to gedre. They loved God and holy chirche and they we? ryght charitable and piteous of the pouere people.
10 That nyght the sowdeoures of Guenelete fled a way, — whoso myght goo, went. All othre people thonked God of the commyng of Ponthus, and they went (on) pylgremege and with processyon, yeldyng graces to God, for eu^ry man wenyd that he had ben deid. On the raorowe aftre arryved the
15 navye of Englond, of Bretan, and of Normandye. And when they herd the tresoune of Guenelete, they had grete mervell, howe that euer he durste thynke suche falshode.
The kyng of Bretau receyved theym with grete ioye ; and the kyng Ponthus withheld with hyra the Erie of Gloucestre,
20 and wele a twenty knyghtes, and said that within xv days he wold goo into Englond to see the kyng and the qtiene and they?2 doghtre Gene?; and said to the Erie of Richemound, " Recommaunde3 me to theym, I pray you ; and if my lady Gene? be not wedded, I shall bryng hi? an husbond, if it
25 pleasse the kyng and hi?." So he tolde hym in his ere that it
was his cosyn german Pollides, the which be right a goodely
knyght and of goode condiciones and likly to come to4 grete
worshipp. " In goode faithe," said the Erie, " ye say trouthe ;
T*Fol 199b 1 au^ ^e kyng wolle be full glade of hym, as I suppose, and
30 haue hym in * grete chertey, for the love that (he) has to you. So he convened hym as fa? as he myght and aftre toke his leve of theym. And so they departed and come into they? awn contrey with grete ioye.
1 W, had ben. * MS. ther'. W, her. E, leur.
3 MS. recommaumde.
* In the MS. to follows worshipp. I follow the order of W.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 137
The Erie of Richemound come into the courte and fotmde the quene and the kyng of Scotes, that was comen to see theyme. The kyng asked hym of the tithynges. And he told hym, fro the begynnyng to the endyng, of all the aven-
5 tures : and howe the contrey was deliuered of the Saresyns, and howe the contree and the people had ben saved by the Erie of Desture and Ser Patryk, in suche wyse that it was wele laboured and peopled of men by the trtiage that they yelded, wherby they lived in peace. And then he told hym of
10 the treson of Guenelete, and aftre he told theym of the grete yeftes, of the grete gentylnes, and the goode chere that kyug Ponthus made theym, and howe gretly he was beloued of all men. And when he hade all tolde, he toke in councell the kyng, the quene, and they? doghtre Gene?, and the kyng of
15 Scotes, and tolde theym howe Ponthus wold come thedre within xv days, and withheld with hym the Erie of Glou- cestre, and howe he had spoken to hym of a mariege of his cosyn german and of Geneue?. The kyng asked what maner knyght he was; and he answerd that he was the goodliest
20 knyght that he knewe, save Ponthus, — "and I tell you," said he, " that he resembled l myche to Ponthus, of persone and of condiciowis, save he be sumwhat lesse." "Be my feith," sayd the kyng, " I accorde me therto, so that it please my doghtre." And she kneled doune and said, what it
25 pleased hym to commaunde hi?, she shuld doo it. The quene and the kyng of Scottes agreed theym to the mariege, and the kyng of Scottes said, " Ser, it nedes not to marye you? doghtre to a kyug, or to a lorde, that wold not dwell in the reaume ; for a kyng, or a grete lorde, peraventure, wold not
30 dwell in this contree, and that we? not goode for the people ne for the contrey; and witt ye wele, that als longe as the kyng Ponthus levys the? shall noo man be so hardy, to assayl, or to greve, this lond." Then said the kyng that he said sothe. Geneuer, that so myche loved Ponthus, said in hi?
35 hert, that the knyght pleased hi? more then any othre, and she
1 W, resembleth. R, ressemble.
138 F. J. MATHER, JR.
enquered of hym full farre1 of the Erie and of the knyghtes, that had ben at the werre and had seen hym ; and the more that she enquires, the bettre she fyndes and the more she loves hym. Now has she noo desire so grete as to see hym 5 and she prayd to God that he myght come soon. So leve we to speke of theym and turne agane to the kyng Ponthws.
[Cap. XXXIII. How kyng Ponthus made a grete feste at Vennys for to feste the straungers, wher as he wonne the prys aboue all othre.]
10 I )Onthus turned agane to Vennys,2 when he had convehed -L the lordes of Englond and of the contrees beyonde. So they went to here messe and aftre went to theyr mete ; and then said kyng Ponthus to the barounes of Bretan, " Fai? Lordes, if it pleasse you, me must see the ladies of this con-
15 trey, for I wolle feste theym for the love of the Duke of Gloucestre and thes knyghtes of Englond, the whiche muste be fested, and to dyssporte theym with sume dedes of armes ; for within xv days we must goo into Englond to see the kyng, for' certan matiers that I have to speke with hym."
20 They answerd that it shuld be doon. " Nowe," said he, " I
charge ichon of you, that ye bryng the fairest ladyes and
gentyllwommen of you? contrees, and iche of you shall bryng
his wyfe, and ye shall be here all by this day sevennyght."
So this was graunted, and euery man went home to his wif
25 and to theyr frendes and eueryche of theym soghte for the
[*Fol. 200.] fairest ladys and * gentylwommen, and the beste synghyng
and daunsyng, that they couthe fynde, and come to Vennys.
And 'the kyng Ponthus went aganes theym and resceyved
theym with grete ioye of mynstrellcie and of othre disportes.
30 On the morowe aftre we? the iustes grete. Sydone was in a scafold, and the kyng hi? fadre, and the grete ladies of Bretan and the aged knyghtes. Ponthus was of the inner
1 W,fromeferre. * MS. Vennys and.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 139
partie, and the Duke of Gloucestre, Barnard de La Roche, Gerrard de Vettrey, Pers de Vettry, Roge? de Loges, the Vicounte de Dounges, and Endrus de Doule, — for to iuste aganes all cornoners.1 So the itistes began grete and harde. 5 Ponthus bett doune knyghtes and horsses, so that euery man dovbted to mete with hym. The ladies prased hym myche and so did all othre men. Grete was the feste, the iustes, and the dissportes, and lasted to the sonne goyng doune. The? we? mony fai? iustes and harde strokes, that longe we? to tell.
10 At evyn they went to they? soupe?. and we? serued with mony dyuers seruices; and mynstrelles and herowdes made grete myrth and grete noyse. The prys of the uttre syde was yeven to the Lorde Mounteford, for ryght wele and sore he had iusted. So he had the cupp of gold. And Ponthus had
15 the prys within and he had a chapelete, that the ladys sent hym.
And then with (that) come Geffray de Lazygne, Andrewe de La Toure, Guyllyam de Roches, and Leonell de Mauleon, the which Ponthus had sent for, to goo with hym into Eng-
20 lond, for ouer all knyghtes he loued theym beste for thei? grete worthenes. And the kyng Ponthus rosse a gane theym and toke theym in his armes and made theym grete chere. And they said vnto hym that he dide wrong to rysse aganes theym and that he was to curtese and to gentyll. Aftre souper the
25 Lorde de Lazigne said, " Ye have this day iusted withoute vs, and if it please you," said he to Ponthus, " we iiij that be last comen shall iuste to morowe." Then said Ponthus, " Ye shall haue with you my cosyn Pollides and the Vicounte de Lyon, for to be vj ; for I vndrestond this day by the Vicounte
30 wordes, that he was wrothe by cause that he was not of the inner partie, — for we shall nowe at this tyme ease his hert." Then he was called, and Pollides told theym that to morowe they vj shuld iust aganes all comoners.
So the cry was made that the white fellowes shuld delyuer
35 all maner of knyghtes ; and he that withoute shuld haue the
1 W, comers. R, venans.
140 F. J. MATHER, JR.
pris, he shall haue a gyrdle and a gybser of the fairest lady of the feste ; and he that within shuld haue the prys, shuld kysse the fairest ladye and of hi? shuld haue a rynge of gold. So the? we? grete iustes and mony grete strokes gy ven ; hot 5 who so euer iusted wele, or noo, I lete it passe forto abryge thys storye. And neuer the lesse, the pris withoute was yeven to Geffray de Chateawbreaunce, and the price within, to Pol- lides ; bot sum said that Geffray de Lazygne had wonne it, so the? was therfore a grete debate.
10 [Cap. XXXIV.] l Her followes of the mariege of Pollides and of [the] kynges doghtre of Englond.1
o
in the morowe aftre Ponthus toke his leve of the kyng and of Sydone and of the ladys of Bretan, and toke the see and led with hym xij of the barounes of Bretan and the
15 iiij knyghtes before said. So they passed ouer ; for the Erie of Gloucestre parted before theym a day iourney, for to tell the kyng of Englond that the kyng Ponthus come for to see hym.
The kyng vndrestode wele by the Erie of Rychemond that
20 he come ; so he was garnysshed and stuffed of all thynges
[*Fol.200b.] that hym neded forto receyve hym * worshipfully. With hym
was the kyng of Scottes, his brothre, and the kyng of Ire-
londe and the kyng of Cornewayle, his neviewe, and the erles
and the barounes of his reaume. So they had grete ioye of
25 his comyng. The kyng prayd theym all to doo hym all the worschypp and chere that myght be doon, — " for," said he, " ye wote wele howe by hym this reaume was releved both of negheboures and Saresyns." They said all that they shuld doo they? powe?. The kynge lepte on hors bak and thos
30 othre knyghtes and rode agane kyng Ponthus wele a myle, with all maner of mynstrellcy. They receyved hym with
1 Since this sentence of the text is quite in the form of a chapter heading, I have used it as such.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 141
grete ioye and worshipp. The che? that they made hym be not to tell of, for itt was ryght grete.
The kyng Ponthus was right rychely arrayd with perles and precius stones, and he had vpon his hede a cercle of
5 stones and of perles. They we? twenty knyghtes with Pol- lides, and the vj l that I spake of afore and iiij hundreth of Galyce. Thes twenty knyghte[s] we? cled in singulatones furred with 2 wyld ware all in oon suyte. They we? wele and richely arrayd of gyrdells of gold and of gyspers, fai? and
10 ryche, the which apered vndre thei? ryche mantylls. They we? myche luked vpon, and thei? ordenawnce was holden riche, both fai? and goode. With grete ioye intred the kyng Ponthus into London and the? he founde the queue and hi? doghtre and hi? ladyes in the courte abydyng hym.
15 So when he sawe the quene, he lyght a farrorn and went rynnyng toward hi?, and she kyssed hym and halsed hym, and he was receyved with grete ioye and worship. The quene asked hym howe he had doou sith he departed from thens; and he said, "Ryght wele." Geneuer the kynges doghtre had
20 alwey hi? eye to see Pollides, the which she had grete desire for to see. So she knewe hym by the tokens and the liknes of his cosyn Ponthus, and she se hym so gracius and so plesaunt that she liked hyra aboue all othre. And yit, to be in more certan, she asked the Erie of Gloucestre of hym ; and
25 he shewed by a signe whiche was he. Then she said in hi? hert, that she had not faled to chese hym and that hi? hertt told hi? wele that it was he. They went to mete, and the? we? mony straunge seruices and notablely serued ; for the barounes serued by the kynges commemndement. Aftre mete
30 they ete and dranke and toke spices. And Geneuer had grete desire that they shuld speke of hi? matie? ; so she said to hi? vncle the kyng of Scottes, laghyug, " I wote not what shall be of the speche that the Erie of Richemound broght." And the kyng smyled and said, "Ye haue seen hym. "What say
1 W and R have the correct reading, .xvi. * W, with veer, following R.
142 F. J. MATHER, JR.
ye by hym? Plesys itt you of hym?" She waxe rede. "I shall doo as my Lorde my fadre and ye wolle." So he sawe wele that she liked hym and come to the kyng and said vnto hym, it was goode to wytt of the rnatie? of his nece. 5 Then said the kyng of Englond, " Ye say trouthe. With- drawe you into yonde chaumbre." And the kyng withdrewe hym, and sent for the kyng of Irlond and for the kyng of Cornewale and for the lordes and barounes of his reaume. And when they we? comen, he tolde theym howe the Erie of
10 Rychmond had spoken vnto hym fro the kyng Ponthus of the mariege of his doghtre and of Pollides ; and he said vnto theym, " Fai? Lordes, ye knowe wele that I be aged, so it behoues that ou? doghtre be maried to a man that we? likly to kepe you in reste and in peace. If ye take a grete lorde, a
15 kyng, or a prince, peraventu? he wolle make his dwellyng in
[*Fol. 201.] his awn contrey, and so * shuld ye be withouten gouernou? ;
and if any wrong be doon to any of you, or to this reame,
or to any of ou? pouere1 comones, they shuld be fane to goo
oute of the contrey to seke ryght of his request. Therfore,
20 as me semes, it we? bettre to haue a youge knyght of high kynrede, that wolle abide and dwell with you, and that wold thynk hymself to (be) beholden to haue worsshipp by hys wyfe ; and in so myche he shuld be the more enclined to obey you and the reaume. So I wolle tell you all the matie? that
25 has ben spoken vnto me." Then he declared theym howe the kyng Ponthus had spoken to the Erie of Richemound of his doghtre and of Pollides, the whiche men holden for a goode knyght and wele condieioned. So the? was myche talkyng both of oon and of othre, that longe were to tell ; bot the ende
30 was that all was accorded, and said, that they myght noo bettre doo for the welfare of the reaume and forto be obeyd and oute of trouble, and that as long as his cosyn Ponthus levys, the? shuld noo man be soo hardy to meve any werre aganes theym.
1 After powere, me cancelled.
i
KING PONTHU8 AND THE FAIK SIDONE. 143
And when the kyng sawe that they concented, he said to the kyng of Scottes and to the Erie of Kichmound, the which were worshipfull knyghtes, " Goo ye," said he, "to the kyng Ponthus and doo hym to wytt of all thes maters and say 5 hym that for his love we wolle haue his cosyn." Thes twoo departed and called the kyng Ponthus aside and tolde hym ryght graciusly howe the kyng and his lordes we? concented for the love1 and worshipp of hym vnto the mariege that he had spoken of to the Erie of Richemound. Ponthus thouked
10 the kyng and the barounes full mekely and said that they did hym myche worship, for the which God graunte hym grace forto deserve it. And so long went and come the kyng of Scottes to he assembled theym in the kynges2 chaumbre and the? come the Archbysshop of Caunterbury, the whych fyanced
15 theym.
It be not to aske if Geneuer had ryght grete ioye in hi? hert, all thoghe she made the? bot simple chere outeward. Sche loued hym and praysed hym myche the more for his gudelenes and the gude name that men gave hym and also
20 for the love of his cosyn Ponthus, the which she loued myche afor tyrue. And also Pollides thonked God devoutly in his hert for the grete worship that he had sent hym in this world, and to haue so fai? a lady and of so goodely behavyng. So the day of the weddyng was sett the viij* day aftre. Grete
25 was the feste and grete we? the iustes, the which begane the morowe aftre the day of the mariege; for the kyng Ponthus said that he wold not accorde that the? shuld be any dedes of armes doon the day of the mariege, and that he said was by cause the kyng of Burgon deid the day of his mariege. Forto
30 say of all the goode iustes 3 it we? to long to tell, bot oner all Ponthus iusted wele, for he was withoute4 any pitee or4 pere. Right wele iusted Pollides and the kyng of Irlond, the Lorde de Lasigne, the Lorde de La Toure, the Lorde Maunford of
'After love, a superfluous and worship stands cancelled.
* R, c. du roy. W, queues.
3 W, well lusters. * W omits.
144 F. J. MATHER, JR.
Bretan — thes had all the voice of the wele iusters. It were
long to tell all, so I lete it passe lyghtly ; for it were a grete
thyng to tell of the grete feste, of the ordenemnce, and of the
seruices, and of the price that was yeven, and of all the dys-
5 sportes. The feste endured fro the monday vnto the fryday.
Aftre mete the kyng Ponthus toke his leve of the kyng
and of the quene, hot with grete payne they gave hym leve.
Geneufr convened hym wele two myle, and they had myche
[*Fol.201b.] goode talkyng to gedre, and she said vnto hym howe * she
10 loved hi? lorde Pollides myche the more, by cause that she had loved hym covertly before, and that she prased hym the more, by cause that he had keped truly his furst love. Pon- thus srnyled and said that the? was noo wyle bot that wommen knewe and thoght. So they spake enughe of dyuers thynges;
15 and then he made hi? to turne agane, with grete payne, and said vnto hi?, " My lady and my love, I be you? knyght and shall be as long as I live ; so ye commaunde me what it pleasse you, and I shall fnlfyll it at my powe?." And then he said befor Pollides, " My fai? lady and my love, I wolle
20 that my cosyn here love you and obey you, and that he haue noo plesaunce l to noon so myche as to you. And if the? be any favte, doo me to wytt and I shall correcte hym." " Ser" said she, " he shall doo as a goode man owe to doo." " God graunt it," said he. So he toke his leve and departed.
25 Then the kyng of Scottes, the kyng of Irlond, and the kyng of Cornewale wold haue convehed theym, — that is to say, Ponthus and his felisship, vnto the porte, bot Ponthus wold not soffre theym. Bot the? was hevynes and curtesie at they? departyng. And aftre they toke they? leve at hym and turned
30 agane to the kynges hovs. And the kyng Ponthus come to the porte and called to hym his cosyn Pollydes aside and said vnto hym, "Thonked be God, ye owe grete guerdon vnto God, for ye be in the way to by ryght a grete kyng and myghty of armys and of havi? and of notablenes, and grete
35 lordes you? subiectes ; so ye owe to thonke God highly, and
1 MS. plesaunt. W, pleasaunce.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 145
therfor it behoves you to have foure1 thynges, if ye wolle reiose all in peace and to live peacyble : —
" The furst, it behoves that ye be a verray true man, — that is to wyte, love God oner all thyng, with all you? hert, and 5 drede to disobey hym ; if ye love hyra, ye shall faire the bettre and he shall helpe you and sustene you in all you? nedes. Love and worship holy chirche and all the commaundementes therof truly kepe. This be the furst seruice that men shuld yeld to Allmyghty God.
10 " The secunde be, that ye shuld bere worshipp and seruice to theym that ye be comen of, and to theym of whome ye haue and may haue worship and riches, — that is to say, love to seme you? fadre and you? wyfe, wherof myche worship shall befall you. Be to hym a verray ryght sonne ; kepe you that
15 ye angre theym not ; soffre and endure what languege and wordes that shal be said vnto you, or of whate tales shall be reported vnto you, — sum to please you and some to flater you, or elles for malice coverte of suche men as wold not the peace betwen you and theym ; for fai? cosyn, he that wolle soffre
20 of his bettre and of his grettre, he ouercomes hym. It is a grete grace of God and of the worlde, a man2 toward hym self2 to haue sofferaunce, for dyuers resones, the which shuld be long to tell.
"The third resone is forto be meke and amyable, large
26 and free, aftre you? powe?, to youre3 barounes and to you? knyghtes and squyers, of whome ye shall haue nede ; and if ye may not shewe theym largesse and fredome of you? goodes, at the lest, be to theym curtes and debonere, both to the grete and to the litle. The grete shall love, the litle shall prase
30 you oner all of you? goode che?; and so4 it shal gretly avale
1 W's reading. MS. Ihre. Pontons' homily is actually divided under four heads.
8 W omits a man and has towarde hymselfe immediately following worlde and modifying grace — probably the true reading.
3 The e of youre shows a tag apparently for a second, unfinished e.
4 W, so he shall auayll you a ryght heralde. K, Et vous vauldra ung droil herauit.
10
146 F. J. MATHER, JR.
you, — so rayche ye shall be prased ouer all. And also it is
to vndrestonde that ye shuld be curtes and gentle vnto you?
wyf afor any othre, for dyuers resons ; for by worshipp and
by curtesie1 beryng vnto hi?, ye shall hold the love of hi?
5 bonde vnto you ; and forto be dyuers and roode vnto hi?, she
[*Fol. 202.] myght happenly chaunge, and the love * of hi?, so shuld ye
wors reioys ; and peraventure she then myght gyve it to an
othre, whe? as she myght take suche plesaunce,2 wherof ye
myght be right sorye, — and that ye shuld not withdrawe it
10 when ye wold. And so the? be grete perell and grete maistre3 to kepe the love of mariege. And also be wa? that ye kepe selvyn true vnto hi?, for it be said in Gospell that ye shuld chaunge hi? for noon othre. And if ye doo thus as I say, God shall encrese you in all goode welthe and worship. If ye see
15 hi? angree, apese hi? by fairnes, and when she comes agane to hi? selfe, she shall loue you myche the more ; for the? be noo curtesie doon to a good hert bot that it is yolden agane ; and when an hert be fell and angre and men wrath it more, it imagyns thynges wherof mony harmes may fall.
20 "The fourte reson be, that ye shuld be petuous of the pouere, the which that shall require right of the ryche, or of the myghty, that wold greve theym ; for therto be ye sett and ordaned — and all othre that has grete lordeshipes, — for ye come into the worlde as pouere as they dide, and as pouere
25 shall ye be at the day of you? dethe ; and ye shall haue noo more of the erthe, save oonly you? lenghte, as the pouere shall have, and ye shall be lefte in the erthe allone, as the pouere shall be. And the? (fore) shall ye haue noo lordeship, bot forto holde ryghtwysnes, withoute blemyssyng, or doute of any grete
30 maistre,4 or repreve, nethi? letyng for the love ne for the hate, for thus commawndes God. Euery friday in esspeciall he? the clamou? of the poue? people, of womnien and of wydoys. Putt not thei? right in resspete ne in dilacion, ne beleve not allway
1 W, courteys. 3 W, maystry.
9 MS. plesaunt. 4 MS. maistrie. W, mayster.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 147
you? officers of euery thyng that they shall tell you ; enque? befor the truthe, for sum of theym wolle doo it to purchese daruege to the pouere, for hate, and sume for covetyse, to haue thei? goodes, when they see that they may not doo so 5 with theym as they wold. So, if they come with fals reporte, it is a perilous thyng for a grete lorde to be lyght of beleve." He taght and1 shewed mony goode ensaumples. And Pol- lides thonked hym and said vnto hym, " Ser, I knowe wele ye loue, and of you? goodnes ye haue purchesed, me the wor-
10 ship and the welfare that I haue ; therfor I pray you, by the way of charitee, that we may euery yere mete and comon2 to gedre ; for that shall be my comforth, all my sustenawnce and ioye." " I graunte therto," said Ponthus. And aftre, when they had spoken and talked of mony thynges, they toke they?
15 leve echon of othre and halsed and kyssed to gedre ; and navthre of theym had powa? to speke oon worde, for mervel- lously they loved to gedre.
When the kyng Ponthus had his hert sum what clered,3 that he myght speke, he toke his leve of the lordes of Eng-
20 lond and offred hym self myche vnto theym. And Pollides turned agane vnto the kynges hous, whe? as men made hym right grete ioye.
Pollides helde wele the goode doctrine of his cosyn Ponthus, for he serued and obeyd the kyng and the quene, and made
25 hym selfe to be loved both of the ryche and of the pouere by his larges and curtesie. Ryght wele he loued God and holy chirche and was pituous and charitable vnto the pouere people. The kyng and the quene loued hym as thei? awn childe, and aboute vij yeres aftre, the kyng died ; and then was Pollides
30 crowned kyng peaseablely, and ryght goode (loue) was betwen hym and his wyf and the olde quene, and so he reigned in peace and in goode ryste.
So leve we he? of hym and turne agane to Ponthus.
1 After and, swe cancelled. 3 R, le cuer luy esclaircist.
*W,set'8.
148 F. J. MATHEE, JR.
[Cap. XXXV. How kyng Ponthus returned to Bretan and gouerned the real me vvysely vnto his dethe.]
[*Fol. 202b.] *TZ'~1yng Ponthus saled so long on the see, he and his
-i »•. barounes, that they come and londed in Bretan and
5 then they went to the kynges hous, whe? as they we? receyved
with grete ioye of all maner of people. And when they had
sodiourned wele vij days, Geffray de Lasigne and Andrewe
de La Toure and the straungers toke their leve and departed.
Ponthus gave theym rnony grete gyftes and riche presentes
10 and thonked theym and witheld theym as his fellowes and his frendes, and then he convehed theym a liege,2 whethre they wold or not. Then they toke leve echon of othre.
The kyng of Bretan lived aboute space of thre yeres aftre, for he was ryght wele aged ; and so was Ponthus kyng and
15 was ryght wele beloued of the astates and of all rnaner of people. He was right goode and rightwys of Justice, charita- ble and petuouse of the pouere. Ryght wele they loued to gedre, he and the quene his wyfe, and led a ryght goode, holy live and did mony almus dedys. And when the houshold
20 shuld rerneve from oon place to an othre he did crye that all they that he owed any goode vnto, we? itt for his houshold, or for any othre thyng that we? taken for hym, that they shuld come to hym or to his officers, and all he did pay for, that was taken of any man ; 3 for he said that all that witheld
25 any goodes or det frome the pouere shuld haue litle merite therof. He vsed and led right a goode, holy live.
And so then the[i] went and wonned a ye? in Galice, whe? as they we? right wele beloued, dred, dovbted, and worshipped. The Erie of Destrue thonked myche the kyng his neviewe of
30 the worshipp that he had doon his sonne. The kyng Ponthus gave grete heritage and londes to Ser Patryke, which had saved hym in the shipp and had doon so myche goode to the
1 This K extends through four 11. of the MS. * a two myle.
3 W inserts, for he sayd that they were foles that abyde to theyr heyres or to theyr executor s/f or f ewe were contented — following R literally.
KING PONTHUS AND THE FAIR SIDONE. 149
contrey. Right grete reuerence bare the quene Sydone vnto the olde quene hi? lordes modre. The kyng sent for his vncle the kyng of Aragon and for the lordes and barounes of the contrey aboute, and made grete iustes that dured wele x days.
5 And aftre the quene and the houshold went on pilgremege to Sainte lames in Galice.
And aftre his turnyng agane, he dwelled not long bot that he went to the weres in Spayne aganes the Saresyns. And he led with hym the barounes of Bretan, of Anyoye, of Mayne,
10 of Petowe, of Tourreyn, of Normandie. Of the Normandes, he led the Erie of Morteyn, the Vicounte of A vrences, Tesson, Panel!, and mony othre knyghtes ; of Mayne, Huugres de Beamouude and Guy de Laball l and dyuers othre ; of Anyoye, Piers de Doune, Andrewe de La Toure, Guyllen de Roches,
15 the Lorde of Marmonte,2 John de Petowe, the Lorde de La- signe, Guy de Towars, Leonell de Malleon, Hungres de Par- teney ; of Turreyn, Hubberd de Malle, Hondes de Bausy, Patryk d'Amvoys;3 and mony of theym of Bretan and of Gascoigne. They we? wele xvM1, and discomfeted the hethen
20 people, and ther they did mony grete dedes of armes and toke mony grete tounes and castelles ; and then vpon the wynte? euery man turned home agane into his awn contrey. And all gave grete love and prasyng4 to Ponthus, for he payd theym wele the[i]? wages and gave theym grete gyftes, — in so myche
25 that they said, the? was no right cheften bot he, and that he
[*Fol. 203.] was likly to conque? all mane? of contrees * be his knyghthode,
larges, and curtesie, — " for all goode condiciones be in his per-
sone, aftre the revle of God and of the world, and in hym be
all goodelynes, so that it be mervell of hym before all othre, —
30 he owe grete guerdon vnto God."
He dwelled a while in Galice, and aftre he come agane to Bretan, and then he went and sawe his cosyn Pollides, the which was croned kyng of Englond, whe? he was receyved
1 W, la vale. R, laual. 3 MS. Damvoys. W, damboise.
8 W, Nermount. * W, loos and pryce.
150 F. J. MATHER, JR.
with grete ioye. It be not to aske if the quene Geneuer sett a grete payne forto feste hym and make hym grete chere.
And aftre that went the kyng of Englond into Gascoigne
and into Galice to see his fadre and his kynesmen and he gave
5 theym grete gyftes. And then he turned agaue into Bretan,
whe? as he was myche made of and had grete chere. And
aftre he went home agane into his awn reame.
The kyng Ponthus and the quene leved long enughe and reigned to the plese? of God and then they discesed and 10 finisshed to the grete sorowe and hevynes to they? people.
Bot thus it is of this worldly live ; for the? be noon so fai?, ne so ryche, so strong, ne so goode, bot at the last he must nedes leve this worlde. Explicit.1
1 After the last 1. of the romance are four 11. blank. The rest of f. 203 has been cut out.
fc.
er, F.J.
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